With flick of his catching mitt, and the NHL save of the year, Robin Lehner shifted the court of public opinion.
Man, did he need a win to clear his name and to change the narrative surrounding him and his team.
This time, Lehner did he talking with his mouth closed.
What a week it has been for the hulking, non-conformist goaltender.
On Monday afternoon, Lehner and the Sabres handily beat the Dallas Stars 4-1 on home ice.
On Tuesday night, Lehner was given his first ever back-to-back start as a Sabres keeper.
Lehner created quite a firestorm of controversy when he allowed three second period goals on just 9 shots to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Sabres were leading that game against the hated Toronto Maple Leafs on that night until Lehner collapsed under the bright lights of the center of the NHL media.
A bad situation turned to the worst when Sabres head coach Dan Byslma quick-hooked Lehner from the game and the salty Swede had choice words for Bylsma on his way to the bench. TV cameras caught Lehner slamming his mask on the bench in disgust while eye-balling his bench boss Bylsma. Bad look, Robin. Smile and wave even when you are raging inside. Speak with your head coach behind closed doors. Don't air your dirty laundry in public.
Anders Nilsson was given the loss and Lehner was immediately trending on Twitter and social media.
On Wednesday, the Sabres had a mandatory day off.
After Thursday's practice, Lehner faced the Buffalo media and defended his actions from the night before. Lehner didn't apologize for his actions in Toronto. Bylsma had a closed door meeting with his combustible goalie to clear the air about the Toronto tantrum.
On Thursday morning, the Sabres curiously called up goalie Linus Ullmark from AHL Rochester. Nilsson had taken ill and was forced to miss practice.
On Froday morning, Bylsma ruled that Nilsson would start the home game against the Detroit Red Wings. Lehner was assigned the back seat. Was Bylsma sending Lehner a one game benching message for his animated antics in Toronto? Lips are sealed.
Nillson defeated the Red Wings in OT which gave Lehner the start in Montreal against Carey Price and the Canadiens. On Hockey Night In Canada. No big deal, eh?
Oh, by the way. Lehner would have to play behind a patchwork blue line of one lefty an five righties featuring three AHLers. First pair ass kicker Jake McCabe suffered a serious shoulder injury against the Wings on Friday night and would not be available to play in Montreal.
All the elements were in place for another perfect storm of negative Lehner emotion.
What if he allowed three goals on nine shots in Montreal? How long a leash was Bylsma willing to give him of he failed? How would Lehner react to adversity? Could he reset his mind and block out the Toronto tantrum and steal his team a desperately needed road game?
Lehner was outstanding in Montreal. He matched Price, save for save. Captain Brian Gionta and Cody Franson scored for the Sabres.
Lehner's large performance inspired the Sabres to come from behind twice to beat the Habs in OT. Lehner made this jaw-dropping, 10-bell save on Alex Galchenyuk's quick shot from the slot on a backhand pass from Alexander Radulov with 3:30 remaining in 3v3 OT.
Thanks, Sabres TV
Price made 35 saves, including this awe inspiring Rasmus Ristolainen beauty wrister from in tight with 6.3 seconds remaining in regulation to preserve the 2-2 tie.
It's as if Lehner said:
"Hey, Carey. Anything you can do, I can do better".
Just eighteen seconds later, Ryan O'Reilly found the streaking Zach Bogosian and sauced him a zesty OT GWG apple.
Bogosian closed the emotional show with emphasis. Remarkably, it was Bogosian's first goal in the past ten months.
What an entertaining hockey game. Kudos to Lehner and Price, who were worth the price of admission.
In the winning locker room, Lehner said:
"It (the Galchenyuk save) happened pretty fast. It was nice to feel it in my glove. I was surprised."
"That was a great feeling. I really wanted to have a bounce back game today. We got into this building, go into overtime and we win it."
The Sabres will finish this tumultuous week with a 3-1 record. Buffalo is only four points out of an Eastern wild card berth.
Lehner earned wins over Dallas and Montreal. He went from the trade rumor mill to the outhouse to the penthouse all in one unforgettable performance on Hockey Night In Canada in Montreal.
Sabres fans have come to the realization that there are zero dull moments when Robin Lehner is healthy and on the Buffalo roster.
Lehner's virtuoso performance in Montreal is proof positive that winning changes everything.
Perhaps Lehner's bounce back game in Montreal can help to repair some of the peripheral damage that has been done with his relationship with his head coach.
Sabres fans appear to be split down the middle on Lehner, who becomes RFA on July 1, Half of Sabres fans want to be Buffalo's number one goalie moving forward. The other half want to see him traded and replaced by Anders Nilsson. Sabres fans love to tell me that Lehner is not worth the 21st overall draft pick in 2015 that Tim Murray traded to Ottawa for Lehner.
Performances like the masterpiece he authored in Montreal on Hockey Night In Canada will help him convert the haters into ardent, supportive fans.
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