That three-goalie setup proved to be a lifesaver for the Sabres. When Luukkonen missed the opening weeks with injury, Ellis arrived as a waiver claim from the Blues and backed Lyon up. When Ellis was concussed in Edmonton in December, Lyon stepped in mid-period and launched the team’s 10-game winning streak. When Lyon got hurt later that month, Luukkonen became the guy again and carried the Sabres through January. The cycle continued all season: When one goalie’s magic ran out, another took over and played great.
“It worked out almost a little too good there with the injuries and how everything lined up perfectly every time,” Luukkonen said. “It was a really good rotation for us. You would feel mentally and physically ready before every game, and if there was an injury, you didn't feel the need to rush back.”
Added Lyon: “I think you have to throw (goaltending coach) Mike Bales in there, as well. … The four of us – and the three of us goalies – got along really well. And we also pushed each other, which I think was a big part of it. There are times when we’re all very competitive with each other, and I think that we all have competitive personalities, and that helps drive you throughout the course of a long season.”
This season will be even longer at 84 games, and the new CBA has another wrinkle that promotes a three-goalie roster: Teams must now officially designate an emergency backup goalie (EBUG) with no NHL experience – and no professional experience in the last three years. He, not the anonymous Zamboni driver or accountant in the crowd, would suit up if needed. (The Sabres recently filled this role with Jack McNaughton, who played the last four seasons at University of Western Ontario.)
Rostering three NHLers protects the Sabres in case of emergency. It also allows Luukkonen, Lyon and Ellis, even when healthy, to take occasional maintenance days and sit out practices or morning skates.
“Instead of an EBUG, why wouldn’t you just have three?” proposed coach Lindy Ruff, who admittedly used to be anti-three-goalies. “What if both goalies go down, or both goalies are sick? The three goaltenders worked. I think we proved it that it worked. I know it's a new concept for a lot of people, but there was more than one team that was carrying three goaltenders for a great part of the year.”
Besides, sending Ellis down to Rochester would require him to pass through waivers, and just as the Sabres scooped him up before last season, another team might do the same – especially now that he has a short, yet promising NHL track record.
Lyon, thoughtful as ever, acknowledged that the goalie room got lucky last year with their never-overlapping injuries, and he insisted their success in 2025-26 doesn’t guarantee anything in 2026-27. All true, but by running it back with the same trio, the Sabres would be well equipped to make enough saves again this season.
“There’s always adversity on the way,” Lyon said, “and if you’re prepared for it, it just makes it that much easier to get over and move past.”
