Connor McDavid is Quick, But Alex Lyon May Be Quicker, Somehow Denying McDavid on the Wraparound
In the world of professional hockey, Connor McDavid is widely regarded as one of the fastest players to ever skate on the ice. Known for his breathtaking speed, agility, and playmaking ability, McDavid has been a force to be reckoned with since entering the NHL. However, in a recent matchup, McDavid found himself on the receiving end of a highlight-worthy save that stunned fans: a remarkable stop by goalie Alex Lyon during a wraparound attempt.
McDavid’s speed is almost unmatched, as he can blow past defenders in the blink of an eye, weaving through traffic and creating scoring chances from seemingly impossible situations. When McDavid gets the puck in open space, it’s often a matter of “how many” goals he will score, rather than “if” he will score. His signature moves, such as using his speed to generate breakaways and create plays, have made him a nightmare for opposing defenses. Yet, even with all of McDavid’s speed and skill, Lyon, the 30-year-old netminder for the Florida Panthers, found a way to deny the Edmonton Oilers captain in one of the most jaw-dropping sequences of the season.
The play unfolded when McDavid took the puck into the offensive zone on a breakaway, quickly getting around a defender and heading for the net. As he approached Lyon’s crease, McDavid turned sharply, attempting a wraparound goal that has worked countless times against other goalies. Most goaltenders might be caught out of position by McDavid’s blazing speed, but Lyon had other ideas.
In what can only be described as lightning-quick reflexes, Lyon was able to track McDavid’s every move, anticipating the wraparound attempt. As McDavid extended the puck around the net, Lyon managed to slide across his crease at a pace that defied expectations, getting just enough of his pad on the puck to keep it out of the net. The save left fans and commentators in awe, as Lyon’s ability to cover the post so efficiently, despite McDavid’s elite speed, was nothing short of impressive.
Lyon’s reaction was a testament to his positioning and awareness in net. While McDavid’s speed is one of the most difficult challenges for goalies to overcome, Lyon’s quickness and ability to read the play in real time allowed him to make a save that seemed impossible. It’s not every day that a goalie is able to outpace one of the fastest players in the game, but Lyon did just that in this unforgettable moment.
For McDavid, this save was a rare instance where his quickness wasn’t enough to beat the goalie. It wasn’t for lack of trying, as he executed his wraparound move flawlessly—something he has done countless times throughout his career—but Lyon’s impeccable timing and agility kept the puck out of the net.
The save by Lyon added another layer to his growing reputation as a reliable and quick goaltender, capable of standing up to the league’s best shooters. For McDavid, it was a humbling reminder that even the fastest player in the world can be thwarted by a goalie who is just as quick in his own right.
While McDavid will certainly get plenty of chances to make highlight-reel goals, this moment will undoubtedly stick with both players as an example of how, on any given night, a goalie’s quickness and anticipation can turn the tables—even against someone as fast as McDavid.
