Red Wings yank Alex Lyon minutes into 1st period
Talk about a deflating start for the Red Wings in one of their biggest games of the season, as Alex Lyon was pulled after allowing two goals on just three shots.
The Detroit Red Wings are in the midst of a 7-game win streak, but things aren't going according to plan in the early goings of today's game against the divisional foe Tampa Bay Lightning at Little Caesars Arena.
The Lightning scored on 2 of their first 3 shots on goaltender Alex Lyon, who was pulled from the net by coach Todd McLellan just minutes into the 1st period.
First, Brandon Hagel beat Lyon with a stoppable shot from just inside of the slot that deflected off his glove and rolled into the net:
Moments later, Lyon was beaten through traffic on a shot from the point by Tampa's Erik Cernak.
Todd McLellan had seen enough, and pulled Lyon in favor of Cam Talbot.
Alex Lyon was coming off a season-best 45 saves against the Oilers
Lyon's poor performance in the opening minutes of today's 1st period was especially odd considering he was coming off a season-best 45 saves against the Edmonton Oilers.
Among Lyon's key saves in the 3-2 shootout win were several stops on Connor McDavid, including on his shootout attempt.
Lyon is playing in the 2nd year of his contract with the Red Wings that was given to him by GM Steve Yzerman in 2023; right now, there's been no indication on whether or not the organization plans to offer him an extension, especially with young Sebastian Cossa waiting in the Wings.
