Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon may miss the start of the playoffs with a strained lower-body muscle, coach Lindy Ruff announced Thursday. The injury occurred during pre-game warmups before Buffalo's 5-3 win over the New York Rangers. Ruff indicated Lyon could be sidelined for a week, with uncertainty about his availability for the playoffs beginning April 18-19.

Lyon, 33, has been instrumental in Buffalo's resurgence, posting a 20-10-4 record in his first season with the team. The Sabres are competing for the Atlantic Division title after ending a 15-year playoff drought. His potential absence creates a significant challenge for a team that has relied on strong goaltending to fuel their late-season push.

With Lyon injured, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will assume starting duties while Colten Ellis serves as backup. Ellis, who hasn't started since February 3, will make his first appearance Thursday against Columbus. The timing couldn't be worse for Buffalo, which needs every advantage as it battles for home-ice advantage in the postseason. Lyon's injury represents a major setback for a franchise finally returning to relevance after years in the wilderness.