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So far, so good for Lehner as a Sabre

Devante Smith-Pelly Jake McCabe

Buffalo Sabres goalie Robin Lehner deflects a Montreal Canadiens’ shot off his glove during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016 in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

AP

The sample size may be small, but in his first few games Sabres goalie Robin Lehner has been making GM Tim Murray look pretty smart.

Lehner had another strong outing last night, stopping 33 of 35 shots in a 4-2 victory over the Canadiens in Montreal.

The 24-year-old has been solid, or better than solid, in all five of his starts since returning from injury. He’s stopped 169 of 180 shots for a save percentage of .939.

Lehner, who came to Buffalo via an offseason trade with Ottawa, cost the Sabres a first-round pick, which the Senators used to select Boston College star forward Colin White.

Some felt Murray had overpaid for a goalie that had yet to establish himself at the NHL level, but Murray knew Lehner from their time together in the Sens organization. He was a big fan. He targeted him, and got him.

“I know we’re going to hear that we paid too much,” said Murray. “Every trade I’ve made we’ve paid too much. I get that. I don’t agree.”

Again, it’s only been a few games. The jury will remain out on Lehner for a while -- at the very least, until his first playoff test with the Sabres, and who knows when that will be?

But so far, so good.