Sabres Goalie Lyon Injured, Playoff Availability in Doubt

Strained lower-body muscle could sideline netminder for start of postseason

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:32am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a hockey goaltender making a save, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the dynamic action of the play.A cubist interpretation of a Sabres goaltender's heroic playoff save, as the team navigates the absence of their injured starter.Buffalo Today

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon is dealing with a strained lower-body injury that could keep him out of the lineup for the start of the NHL playoffs, according to head coach Lindy Ruff.

Why it matters

The Sabres are hoping to make a deep playoff run this season, and having their starting goaltender healthy and available will be crucial to their success. Lyon's injury raises concerns about the team's depth in net and could impact their chances in the postseason.

The details

Coach Ruff revealed that Lyon suffered the lower-body strain during practice earlier this week. The team is still evaluating the extent of the injury and has not provided a timeline for his return, but Ruff acknowledged that Lyon could miss the start of the playoffs as he recovers.

  • The injury occurred during a Sabres practice earlier this week.
  • Coach Ruff announced the injury and Lyon's potential playoff availability on Thursday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Alex Lyon

The starting goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres who is dealing with a strained lower-body muscle that could sideline him for the start of the NHL playoffs.

Lindy Ruff

The head coach of the Buffalo Sabres who provided an update on Lyon's injury status.

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What they’re saying

“Alex is dealing with a lower-body injury that could keep him out for the start of the playoffs. We're still evaluating the extent of the injury, but we're hopeful he'll be able to return soon.”

— Lindy Ruff, Head Coach, Buffalo Sabres

What’s next

The Sabres will continue to monitor Lyon's recovery and provide updates on his status as the playoffs approach. If he is unable to start the postseason, the team will need to rely on their backup goaltender to step up and fill the void.

The takeaway

This injury to the Sabres' starting goaltender is a significant concern as the team prepares for the playoffs. The team's depth in net and ability to adapt to Lyon's absence will be crucial factors in determining their postseason success.