In a surprising turn of events, the Detroit Red Wings have encountered a goaltending crisis just before their matchup against the Calgary Flames. Starting goaltender Alex Lyon sustained an undisclosed injury during Wednesday’s morning skate, leaving him unavailable for the game. In response, the Red Wings have recalled Ville Husso from AHL Grand Rapids to serve as Cam Talbot’s backup against his former team.

This injury is particularly unfortunate for Lyon, who had recently showcased stellar performance, stopping 49 of 52 shots over his last two games. With a current 1.50 goals against average (GAA) and an impressive .942 save percentage (SV%), Lyon had quickly become a reliable asset for the Red Wings this season. Since early November, however, he has struggled with a lower-body injury that limited his appearances—raising concerns about whether this latest setback is related.

Lyon, a pending unrestricted free agent, has made notable strides this season in Hockeytown. He holds a 4-4-0 record with one shutout over eight starts and one relief appearance, contributing a solid .911 SV% and a 2.74 GAA. Impressively, he has saved 2.5 goals above average, representing a significant improvement from his previous season's performance.

On the other hand, Husso, who serves as the Red Wings' third goaltending option, is currently in the last year of a controversial three-year, $14.25 million contract. His season has been marred by inconsistencies, as evidenced by his 0-2-0 record and .811 SV% from two games with the Red Wings, where he allowed seven goals on 37 shots. Despite his struggles at the NHL level, Husso has excelled in the minors, recording a .944 SV% and 1.58 GAA in five appearances for Grand Rapids.

As the Red Wings gear up for their game against the Flames, the stakes are high. The team will be counting on Talbot to lead the charge while hoping for a swift recovery for Lyon. Fans are left wondering how this goaltending situation will affect the team’s standings as they strive for a playoff spot this season.

Stay tuned as we follow the developments in Red Wings’ goaltending and the implications it holds for their season!