Alex Lyon
| Position | Goaltender | Current Team | Buffalo Sabres |
| Catches | Left | Current Contract | 2 years |
| Height | 6'1" | Expires | 2026-27 |
| Weight (lbs) | 199 | Expiry Age (Jun 30) | 34 |
| Age | 32 (Dec 9, 1992) | Expiry Status | UFA |
| Drafted | Undrafted |
| Date | Team | Transaction | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2025 | Buffalo Sabres | Signed 2 years @ $1.500M AAV starting in 2025-26 | |
| Dec 17, 2024 | Detroit Red Wings | Activated from IR | |
| Dec 2, 2024 | Detroit Red Wings | Placed on IR | |
| Jul 1, 2023 | Detroit Red Wings | Signed 2 years @ $900K AAV starting in 2023-24 | |
| Jul 13, 2022 | Florida Panthers | Signed 1 year @ $750K AAV starting in 2022-23 | |
| Jul 30, 2021 | Carolina Hurricanes | Signed 1 year @ $750K AAV starting in 2021-22 | |
| Sep 25, 2020 | Philadelphia Flyers | Signed 1 year @ $700K AAV starting in 2020-21 | |
| Jul 7, 2018 | Philadelphia Flyers | Signed 2 years @ $750K AAV starting in 2019-20 | |
| Jul 15, 2017 | Philadelphia Flyers | Signed 1 year @ $874K AAV starting in 2017-18 | |
| Apr 5, 2016 | Philadelphia Flyers | Signed to an entry level contract. |
About Player Cards
Player cards present an infographic of a players performance. In this case it shows the player performance over a 3 season span. Each square is separated into three separate sub-boxes with the two smaller boxes on top representing the past two seasons and the larger box on the bottom representing the current or most recent season. This allows the reader to guage how consistent a player has been, and if early in the season it can help identify whether a players performance may be impacted by small sample size and subject to regression or is consistent with recent past performance.
Notes and Definitions
- The numbers represent percentiles so the higher the better.
- Percentiles are determined by comparing Forwards to Forwards and Defensemen to Defensemen.
- Bursts/mi are calculated from NHL Edge Data are are speed bursts above 20mpg per mile skated. The NHL doesn't adjust for ice time so the players that skate more will naturally have more bursts over 20, or at least more opportunity to have more. The NHL also does not provide ice time in the context of NHL Edge Statistics, however, it does provide distance skated. By adjusting for distance skated it will have a similar effect to adjusting for ice time but also adjust for situationional effect. For example, Players don't typically skate as much on the PK, mostly within the defensive zone, so don't get significant opportunity in that ice time to get speed bursts above 20mph. Adjusting with miles skates would account for this better than adjusting with ice time.
- Sh%AE is Shooting Percentage above Expected (Sh% - xSh%) and is an indicator of how good a shooter is at converting chances into goals.
- Relative statistics are On Ice - Off Ice statistics and can be an indicator of whether the player makes his teammates better or worse.
- All data is 5v5 except Shooting Hardest and Average, Skating Top Speed and Bursts/mi which are all situations, ES Average which is even strength (NHL doesn't give a specific definition).
Data Sources
- Salary data is from TheStanleyCap.com
- Shooting and Skating (except Sh%AE) are from NHL Edge
- Other statistics are from Puckalytics.com and derived from data from NHL.com
Terms of Use
You are free to use include player cards in written articles, share on social media, or on other public websites under the following conditions:
- You credit TheStanleyCap.com as the source and provide a link back to TheStanleyCap.com or this player page.
- You do not mass copy/duplicate/publish dozens or hundreds of player cards. A few, or a handful for a written article is fine. Be reasonable. Fair use rules apply.
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Note: The image will update daily throughout the season so if you want to include snapshot then you must download the image.
If you have any questions, send an e-mail to the e-mail address at the top of this page.
5v5 Goalie Stats
| Season | Team(s) | GP | TOI | SAA/60 | SA/60 | xGA/60 | GA/60 | GS/60 | Sv% | xSv% | Sv%AE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | PHI | 10 | 394:07 | 42.17 | 29.38 | 2.50 | 2.74 | -0.24 | 90.67 | 91.50 | -0.83 |
| 2018-19 | PHI | 2 | 58:19 | 33.95 | 22.64 | 1.71 | 5.14 | -3.44 | 77.27 | 92.46 | -15.18 |
| 2019-20 | PHI | 3 | 96:45 | 47.13 | 35.35 | 2.83 | 2.48 | 0.35 | 92.98 | 92.01 | 0.98 |
| 2020-21 | PHI | 6 | 253:08 | 39.58 | 28.68 | 2.29 | 1.90 | 0.39 | 93.39 | 92.01 | 1.38 |
| 2021-22 | CAR | 2 | 95:49 | 45.71 | 30.68 | 2.73 | 2.50 | 0.23 | 91.84 | 91.09 | 0.75 |
| 2022-23 | FLA | 15 | 699:49 | 44.41 | 31.21 | 3.00 | 2.57 | 0.42 | 91.76 | 90.40 | 1.36 |
| 2023-24 | DET | 44 | 2006:01 | 45.16 | 31.38 | 2.62 | 2.72 | -0.10 | 91.33 | 91.64 | -0.32 |
| 2024-25 | DET | 30 | 1259:48 | 41.20 | 26.53 | 2.44 | 2.62 | -0.18 | 90.13 | 90.79 | -0.66 |
| 2025-26 | BUF | 10 | 469:10 | 46.17 | 30.69 | 2.57 | 2.56 | 0.01 | 91.67 | 91.64 | 0.03 |
4v5 Goalie Stats
| Season | Team(s) | GP | TOI | SAA/60 | SA/60 | xGA/60 | GA/60 | GS/60 | Sv% | xSv% | Sv%AE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | PHI | 10 | 29:56 | 62.14 | 44.10 | 5.88 | 6.01 | -0.13 | 86.36 | 86.67 | -0.31 |
| 2018-19 | PHI | 2 | 5:11 | 46.30 | 46.30 | 3.28 | 11.58 | -8.30 | 75.00 | 92.92 | -17.92 |
| 2019-20 | PHI | 3 | 8:52 | 74.44 | 60.90 | 6.85 | 13.53 | -6.69 | 77.78 | 88.76 | -10.98 |
| 2020-21 | PHI | 6 | 27:43 | 60.61 | 51.95 | 5.33 | 15.15 | -9.82 | 70.83 | 89.73 | -18.90 |
| 2021-22 | CAR | 2 | 11:51 | 75.95 | 55.70 | 7.33 | 5.06 | 2.27 | 90.91 | 86.84 | 4.07 |
| 2022-23 | FLA | 15 | 76:20 | 84.10 | 61.31 | 8.47 | 4.72 | 3.75 | 92.31 | 86.19 | 6.11 |
| 2023-24 | DET | 44 | 173:56 | 89.00 | 57.26 | 8.70 | 8.28 | 0.42 | 85.54 | 84.81 | 0.73 |
| 2024-25 | DET | 30 | 94:23 | 83.91 | 55.94 | 8.42 | 8.90 | -0.48 | 84.09 | 84.95 | -0.86 |
| 2025-26 | BUF | 10 | 60:00 | 101.00 | 67.00 | 9.76 | 4.00 | 5.76 | 94.03 | 85.43 | 8.60 |
Legend
| Percentile 0-25 | Percentile 25-50 | Percentile 50-75 | Percentile 75-100 |
Glossary
| Statistic | Definition |
|---|---|
| SAA/60 | Shot Attempts Against per 60 minutes. |
| SA/60 | Shots Against per 60 minutes. |
| xGA/60 | Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes. |
| GA/60 | Goals Against per 60 minutes (lower is better). |
| GS/60 | Goals Saved per 60 minutes (xGA/60 -GA/60). |
| Sv% | Save Percentage. |
| xSv% | Expected Save Percentage. |
| Sv%AE | Save Percentage above Expected (Sv% - xSv%). |
News and Opinions
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3 Takeaways from the Sabres’ 2-1 Loss to the Mammoth at The Hockey Writers (Wed Nov 5, 2025)
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It's time for Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams to make a trade at Sabres Noise (Wed Nov 5, 2025)
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Alex Lyon, Noah Ostlund get Sabres to OT before losing to Mammoth at Sabres Space (Wed Nov 5, 2025)
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Alex Lyon, Noah Ostlund get Sabres to OT before losing to Mammoth at Buffalo Hockey Beat (Wed Nov 5, 2025)
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Sabres Iced by Mammoth, Fall in OT 2-1 at Die by the Blade (Wed Nov 5, 2025)
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Alex Lyon carries Buffalo Sabres to an overtime loss against the Utah Mammoth at Sabres Noise (Tue Nov 4, 2025)
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Sabres’ Alex Lyon Making Statement With Hot Start in Net at The Hockey Writers (Fri Oct 31, 2025)
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Sabres Need to Move on From Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen at The Hockey Writers (Wed Oct 29, 2025)
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Sabres goalies Colten Ellis, Alex Lyon and UPL all battling for starts at Sabres Space (Tue Oct 28, 2025)
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Sabres goalies Colten Ellis, Alex Lyon and UPL all battling for starts at Buffalo Hockey Beat (Mon Oct 27, 2025)
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Buffalo Sabres solution for goalie dilemma is clear (but is easier said than done) at Sabres Noise (Sat Oct 25, 2025)
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UPL, Alex Lyon linked to Edmonton Oilers amid Buffalo Sabres goalie logjam at Sabres Noise (Thu Oct 23, 2025)
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Alex Lyon on leaving Detroit Red Wings, his new tea & his ‘problem child’ cake-loving lab at Sabres Space (Thu Oct 23, 2025)
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Sorry, UPL: Alex Lyon is the Buffalo Sabres' starting goalie now at Sabres Noise (Mon Oct 20, 2025)
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Sabres News & Rumors: Doan, Lyon, Power, Danforth & Bryson at The Hockey Writers (Sun Oct 19, 2025)
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3 Takeaways From the Sabres’ 3-0 Win Over the Panthers at The Hockey Writers (Sun Oct 19, 2025)
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Panthers tamed by Lyon in 3-0 loss to Sabres at Litter Box Cats (Sat Oct 18, 2025)
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Sabres News & Rumours: McLeod, Lyon, Benson & Injury Report at The Hockey Writers (Sat Oct 18, 2025)
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Alex Lyon has been the Buffalo Sabres' best player (and that's embarrassing) at Sabres Noise (Mon Oct 13, 2025)
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3 Takeaways From Sabres’ Nailbiter Loss vs. Bruins at The Hockey Writers (Sun Oct 12, 2025)
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Sabres Score First Goal of Season But Fall to Bruins, 3-1 at Die by the Blade (Sat Oct 11, 2025)
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3 takeaways from the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 road loss to the Boston Bruins at Sabres Noise (Sat Oct 11, 2025)
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Rasmus Dahlin must lead the Buffalo Sabres past one-game concern against Bruins at Sabres Noise (Sat Oct 11, 2025)
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Lyon The Latest Opening Game Goalie For The Sabres at Yahoo Sports NHL (Thu Oct 9, 2025)
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‘You never think you’re going to make it this far’: How Sabres goalie Alex Lyon shows worth of proven understudy at Sabres Space (Thu Oct 9, 2025)
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Sabres notes: Alex Lyon focused ahead of first start subbing for injured UPL at Sabres Space (Thu Oct 9, 2025)
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Sabres notes: Alex Lyon focused ahead of first start subbing for injured UPL at Buffalo Hockey Beat (Wed Oct 8, 2025)
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Colten Ellis now set to back up Alex Lyon in Buffalo at Sabres Space (Wed Oct 8, 2025)
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Alex Lyon ready to start season as Sabres’ No. 1 goalie at Sabres Space (Tue Oct 7, 2025)
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Alex Lyon could be more important to the Buffalo Sabres success than fans realize at Sabres Noise (Sun Oct 5, 2025)
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‘Stay in the moment’: It’s Alex Lyon’s time in goal for the Sabres, who prepare for season opener at Sabres Space (Sat Oct 4, 2025)
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Lyon, Georgiev or Levi: Who should start for the Buffalo Sabres if UPL is out? at Sabres Noise (Fri Oct 3, 2025)
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With UPL injured, Sabres could turn to Alex Lyon, who loves underdog role at Sabres Space (Fri Oct 3, 2025)
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With UPL injured, Sabres could turn to Alex Lyon, who loves underdog role at Buffalo Hockey Beat (Thu Oct 2, 2025)
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Red Wings-Sabres preseason game #2 Tweetcap: Buffalo’s ‘A Team’ outworks Detroit’s ‘B+ Team’ at The Malik Report (Sat Sep 27, 2025)
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NHL goalie rankings 2025: Where do Sabres' UPL and Alex Lyon land? at Sabres Noise (Wed Sep 3, 2025)
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Buffalo Sabres Season Preview: Goaltending at The Hockey Writers (Fri Aug 29, 2025)
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Four years ago, Sabres goalie Alex Lyon ignited NHL career by evolving: ‘Found another level of desperation’ at Buffalo Hockey Beat (Wed Jul 9, 2025)
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The Sabres' signing of Alex Lyon bolsters depth at the goalie position at Sabres Noise (Tue Jul 1, 2025)
Current Contract
Standard Contract (UFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
Standard Contract (UFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 30 | $900,000 | $900,000 | - | - | $900,000 | $900,000 | $900,000 | UFA | ||
| 2024-25 | 31 | $900,000 | $900,000 | - | - | $900,000 | $900,000 | $900,000 | UFA | ||
| Total | - | - | $1,800,000 | $1,800,000 | $1,800,000 |
Standard Contract (UFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 29 | $750,000 | $750,000 | - | - | $750,000 | $750,000 | $310,000 | UFA | ||
| Total | - | - | $750,000 | $750,000 | $310,000 |
Standard Contract (UFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 28 | $750,000 | $750,000 | - | - | $750,000 | $750,000 | $200,000 | UFA | ||
| Total | - | - | $750,000 | $750,000 | $200,000 |
Standard Contract (UFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 27 | $700,000 | $700,000 | - | - | $700,000 | $700,000 | $700,000 | UFA | ||
| Total | - | - | $700,000 | $700,000 | $700,000 |
Standard Contract (RFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 26 | $750,000 | $750,000 | - | - | $750,000 | $750,000 | $250,000 | RFA-arb | ||
| 2020-21 | 27 | $750,000 | $750,000 | - | - | $750,000 | $750,000 | $750,000 | UFA | ||
| Total | - | - | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 | $1,000,000 |
Standard Contract (RFA) ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 24 | $874,125 | $874,125 | - | - | $874,125 | $874,125 | $70,000 | 10.2(c) | ||
| Total | - | - | $874,125 | $874,125 | $70,000 |
Entry Level Contract ( ) (0 ratings)
| Season | Age* | Clause | Cap Hit | AAV | Perf. Bonus | Sign. Bonus | Salary | Compensation | Minors Salary | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 22 | $925,000 | $925,000 | - | $92,500 | $832,500 | $925,000 | $70,000 | ELC | ||
| 2016-17 | 23 | $925,000 | $925,000 | - | $92,500 | $832,500 | $925,000 | $70,000 | ELC | ||
| Total | - | $185,000 | $1,665,000 | $1,850,000 | $140,000 |
Career Statistics
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | League | Team | GP | GS | W | L | OTL | SA | GA | GAA | Sv% | GP | GS | W | L | OTL | SA | GA | GAA | Sv% |
| 2007-08 | USHS-MN | 4 | 6.86 | 0.847 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2008-09 | USHS-MN | 17 | 3.44 | 0.909 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2009-10 | USHS-MN | 25 | 2.80 | 0.919 | 1 | 4.00 | 0.875 | |||||||||||||
| 2010-11 | USHS-MN | 25 | 596 | 31 | 1.48 | 0.948 | 2 | 3.03 | 0.923 | |||||||||||
| 2010-11 | UMHSEHL | 2 | 3.43 | 0.891 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2011-12 | USHL | 48 | 28 | 15 | 127 | 2.76 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 3.30 | |||||||||
| 2012-13 | USHL | 50 | 26 | 21 | 128 | 2.65 | ||||||||||||||
| 2013-14 | ECAC | 30 | 14 | 11 | 71 | 2.41 | ||||||||||||||
| 2014-15 | NCAA | 32 | 17 | 10 | 849 | 52 | 1.62 | 0.939 | ||||||||||||
| 2015-16 | NCAA | 31 | 19 | 8 | 818 | 52 | 1.64 | 0.936 | ||||||||||||
| 2016-17 | AHL | 47 | 27 | 14 | 5 | 1410 | 124 | 2.74 | 0.912 | 2 | 1 | 34 | 4 | 2.07 | 0.882 | |||||
| 2017-18 | NHL | 11 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 232 | 22 | 2.75 | 0.905 | ||||||||||
| 2017-18 | AHL | 27 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 812 | 71 | 2.75 | 0.913 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 449 | 25 | 1.98 | 0.944 | ||||
| 2018-19 | NHL | 2 | 2 | 1 | 31 | 6 | 5.08 | 0.806 | ||||||||||||
| 2018-19 | AHL | 39 | 19 | 17 | 5 | 1268 | 106 | 2.74 | 0.916 | |||||||||||
| 2019-20 | NHL | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 73 | 8 | 3.55 | 0.890 | |||||||||||
| 2019-20 | AHL | 32 | 11 | 14 | 8 | 903 | 79 | 2.69 | 0.913 | |||||||||||
| 2020-21 | NHL | 6 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 169 | 18 | 3.33 | 0.893 | ||||||||||
| 2020-21 | AHL | 4 | 2 | 1 | 87 | 11 | 3.40 | 0.874 | ||||||||||||
| 2021-22 | NHL | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 65 | 6 | 2.93 | 0.908 | |||||||||||
| 2021-22 | AHL | 30 | 18 | 7 | 4 | 678 | 60 | 2.16 | 0.912 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 325 | 25 | 2.03 | 0.923 | |||
| 2022-23 | NHL | 15 | 15 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 488 | 43 | 2.89 | 0.914 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 107 | 12 | 3.63 | 0.888 | ||
| 2022-23 | AHL | 23 | 13 | 9 | 1 | 623 | 56 | 2.43 | 0.910 | |||||||||||
| 2023-24 | NHL | 44 | 44 | 21 | 18 | 5 | 1325 | 127 | 3.05 | 0.904 | ||||||||||
| 2023-24 | WC | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50 | 3 | 2.20 | 0.940 | ||||||||||||
| 2024-25 | NHL | 30 | 30 | 14 | 9 | 1 | 705 | 73 | 2.81 | 0.896 | ||||||||||
| 2025-26 | NHL | 9 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 294 | 26 | 2.90 | 0.912 | ||||||||||
| NHL Career | 122 | 122 | 54 | 42 | 13 | 3382 | 329 | 2.98 | 0.903 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 107 | 12 | 3.63 | 0.888 | ||