Sabres Goalie Trio Paying Dividends

For the Buffalo Sabres, the decision to carry three goaltenders on the NHL roster has provided much-needed depth this season. Free agent Alex Lyon signed a two-year contract with the Sabres on July 1st. Before signing with the Sabres, the 33-year-old veteran had been a backup throughout his NHL career. 

Lyon was envisioned as number two in the Buffalo crease behind top netminder Ukko-Pekka-Luukkonen. However, that plan was altered before the season even began. Luukkonen suffered an injury in training, leaving his ability to start the season for the Sabres in doubt. 

With prospect Devon Levi getting his development starts in Rochester, the Sabres added yet another free agent netminder to the fold in Alexander Giorgiev. The 29-year-old veteran was added as an insurance policy, given the uncertainty of Luukkonen’s status. 

With Giorgiev unable to impress in training camp and in the preseason, the Sabres claimed 25-year-old Colten Ellis off the waiver wire from the St. Louis Blues. While having three goaltenders on the NHL Roster limits some roster moves and playing time, the positives associated with the move have far outweighed the pitfalls for the Sabres this season. 

Each of the three goaltenders has sustained injuries in 2025-26, and each time the club has relied on the other two netminders to secure victory. 

The trio has delivered strong performances, which led to victories for the Sabres, who now find themselves in a playoff position after a disastrous start through early December. 

Luukkonen had been outstanding during a Sabres run of points, which allowed the team to move up in the Eastern Conference standings. Last week, Lyon recorded his ninth consecutive victory, equaling a team record. Just last month, he had missed nine games in due to a lower-body injury. 

Ukko-Pekka-Luukkonen sustained another injury in Buffalo’s game at Toronto on Tuesday. Ellis was able to step in in relief and deliver the divisional victory for the Sabres. 

“You always have to be ready and find ways to be dialed in,” said Ellis. “Given the circumstance and having to go in, you kinda gotta be ready at all times, you never know what’s going to happen.” 

Ellis had missed a month of action after suffering a concussion in a game at Edmonton on December 9th. In their last 23 games, Buffalo has compiled a record of 19-3-1. 

While a three-netminder log jam typically does not work well, having Luukkonen, Lyon, and Ellis on the NHL club has been fortuitous with the Sabres having had to deal with multiple injuries in the crease throughout the season. 

The next goalie up philosophy is working for Buffalo as each member of the triumvirate has delivered wins when their number has been called. 

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