Buffalo's goalie Alex Lyon led the Sabres to a 3-1 victory over the Bruins, taking a 2-1 lead in their playoff series. Lyon made 24 saves, allowing only one goal in the match.
Buffalo's switch to goalie Alex Lyon in net paid off as the Sabres beat the Boston Bruins 3-1 for a 2-1 lead in their first round series.
Coach Lindy Ruff gave Lyon the start after he finished up a Game 2 loss. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had been pulled in that game after giving four goals on 19 shots, including a long flip shot from center ice.
Alex Lyon made 24 saves, giving up only the game's opening goal to Boston's Tanner Jeannot. Buffalo denied Viktor Arvidsson's penalty shot at 9:50 of the second period before scoring the game-tying goal just 1:08 later.
Noah Ostlund, an injury replacement for Josh Norris, drove down the left wing and slipped a pass from beyond the goal line to Bowen Byram in the right circle, where he knocked home a low wrister over Jeremy Swayman's glove.
April 18: A fan shows off a rally towel before Game 1 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
Q&A
How did Alex Lyon perform in the game against the Bruins?
Alex Lyon made 24 saves and allowed only one goal, contributing significantly to the Sabres' victory.
What was the outcome of the Sabres vs. Bruins playoff series after this game?
The Sabres took a 2-1 lead in their first round playoff series against the Bruins with this win.
Who scored the game-tying goal for the Sabres?
Bowen Byram scored the game-tying goal for the Sabres after receiving a pass from Noah Ostlund.
Why was Alex Lyon chosen to start as goalie for the Sabres?
Coach Lindy Ruff decided to start Alex Lyon after Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was pulled in Game 2 due to poor performance.
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A Boston Bruins fan cheers for the team during the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden.
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Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) greets fans on the blue carpet before opening night against the New York Islanders.
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
April 18: A fan shows off a rally towel before Game 1 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
1 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
April 18: A fan shows off a rally towel before Game 1 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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6 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
Montreal Canadiens mascot Youppi! stands on seats during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre on Jan. 22, 2026.
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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8 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
New York Rangers fans cheer after the 2026 Winter Classic against the Florida Panthers at loanDepot Park.
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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13 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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15 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
A Colorado Avalanche fans holds up a sign for Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at Ball Arena.
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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23 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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27 / 33
NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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NHL fans and mascots cheer on their teams in 2025-26 season
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Ostlund scored an empty-netter.
Hurricanes take 3-0 series lead vs. Senators
Logan Stankoven scored for the third consecutive game and the CarolinaĀ HurricanesĀ put theĀ Ottawa SenatorsĀ on the brink of elimination with a 2-1 win in Game 3.
Carolina leads the best-of-seven series 3-0 and Game 4 is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.
Drake Batherson scored his second goal of the series for theĀ Senators, who have yet to have the lead at any point through three games. Linus Ullmark made 25 saves in the loss.
Carolina went 0-for-4 on the power play; Ottawa was 0-for-5 and is 0-for-12 for the series.
Stankoven opened the scoring, giving theĀ HurricanesĀ a 1-0 lead at 5:13 of the first period. Hall got his own rebound after a shot on the rush, circled behind the net and then passed across to Stankoven, who scored on a wrist shot from the left circle.
Brady Tkachuk got in alone against Andersen early in the second period, but his backhand attempt was stopped.
TheĀ SenatorsĀ had a 5-on-3 power play for 1:28 midway through the second period but did not convert.
Ottawa defenseman Jake Sanderson left the game at 10:07 of the second period with an apparent injury after taking a shot off his left hand. He had earlier taken a shot to the head from Hall.
Batherson tied it 1-1 at 16:06 when he received Nick Cousins' pass in the slot, went to his backhand and lifted it in over Andersen's pad.
Blake put theĀ HurricanesĀ back on top 2-1 at 17:29. K'Andre Miller received a pass at the point, skated down to the top of the left circle and passed down across to Blake, who scored past the diving Ullmark from the far post.