Recalled from the AHL on Jan. 10, Lyon, who's appeared in 25 career games over parts of six seasons in the NHL, was thrust into action just over two minutes into Thursday's matchup in Montreal when starting goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky exited with a lower-body injury.
Stopping 23 of 25 shots in relief -- including turning aside all seven high-danger shots he faced -- Lyon only had a moment to get settled once he entered the game before having to come up with a highlight-reel stop against Cole Caufield on the penalty kill to keep Montreal off the board.
"The first save he made just lit our bench up," Maurice said of Lyon, who's played almost 200 games in the AHL. "We were at the end of the trip, we had miles on us, and you're looking for a spark. That did it. He makes that save, and then we just start building and having fun doing it."
Getting plenty of goal support as well, the Panthers matched a franchise record with four power-play goals in the second period against the Canadiens. Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett each scored once with the extra attacker, while Matthew Tkachuk, a 2023 NHL All-Star, potted a pair.
Also getting in on the action, Ryan Lomberg and Givani Smith touched twine at even strength.
"We came ready to play," Bennett said. "Our power pay was really good. Lyon was great coming in. It was great to see guys sticking up for each other. A great all-around game for us."
Sitting at 22-20-5, the Panthers have gone 6-2-1 over their last nine games.
"We're extremely proud to get five out of fix points on this road trip," Lomberg said following the win against Montreal. "Having said that, it doesn't matter if we don't keep building off it. We're looking forward to getting home and playing Minnesota and then heading back on the road."
When asked about Bobrovsky's injury following this morning's skate, Maurice said that the two-time Vezina Trophy winner could rejoin the Cats following their upcoming two-game road trip.
"We were concerned when we took him out because you never know, but it's way better than we thought it'd be, "Maurice said of Bobrosky, who logged a 5-2-1 record with a .901 save percentage in his last nine starts before being injured "He's possible for the weekend."
As for other injury news, Maurice said that Spencer Knight, who hasn't seen action since Jan. 8, will get at least one rehab start in the AHL before rejoining the Panthers. Like Bobrovsky, Eric Staal, who exited the win in Montreal with an injury, could be cleared to return by the weekend.
"Early returns are very good," Maurice said of Staal, who's in the NHL's concussion protocol.
Third in the Central Division with a record of 25-15-4, Minnesota has won three of its last four games, but enters tonight's contest looking to rebound from a 5-2 loss at Carolina on Thursday.
After Kirill Kaprizov opened the scoring on the power play to make it 1-0 for the Wild, the Hurricanes went on to score five straight goals to take a commanding 5-1 lead before Matt Boldy stopped the bleeding with a goal to make it 5-2 near the midway point of the third period.
In net, Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 24 of 29 shots.
Giving Fleury a break, Fillip Gustavsson is expected to get the nod in net tonight. In 18 appearances this season, Gustavsson has gone 11-6-1 with a .926 save percentage.
Up front, Kaprizov, who is heading to the NHL All-Star Game, leads Minnesota in scoring with 53 points (26 goals, 27 assists). Mats Zuccarello is second in scoring with 45 points (18 goals, 27 assists), while Joel Eriksson Ek isn't too far behind in third with 35 points (15 goals, 20 assists).
Facing off for the first time this season, the Panthers went 2-0-0 against the Wild in 2021-22.
"It'll be a very physical game in the end zones," Maurice said of the challenge Minnesota presents. "Both teams have some dynamic rush players, but the bulk of the group are going to be putting pucks deep and getting in on each other's D and trying to grind that thing to the net."
