The Sabres looked to continue their wave of momentum, which included a two-game winning streak, into this weekend by hoping to sweep this series with the Rangers tonight. After ending Tuesday’s win with two shots on goal in the third period, Buffalo was unable to bounce back as they continued to struggle to get shots on net as they fell 3-2 in overtime to the New York Rangers.
| Per. | Time | EV | Goal | Assist | Assist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:44 |  Ryan Strome (2) | Artemi Panarin (5) | Pavel Buchnevich (4) | |
| 1 | 19:38 |  Jack Eichel (2) | Sam Reinhart (3) | --- | |
| 2 | 16:10 | Artemi Panarin (3) | --- | --- | |
| 3 | 4:47 | PPG | Sam Reinhart (3) | Taylor Hall (6) | Victor Olofsson (4) |
| OT | 2:47 | Alexis Lafreniere (1) | Colin Blackwell (2) | --- |
The first period saw the Rangers dominate a majority of the period, leading with shots on goal, and culminated with a Ryan Strome goal halfway through the opening period to put New York in front. While Buffalo went 0-for-2 with the man advantage in the first, their top line was effective, as Sam Reinhart fed the puck through a tight window to Jack Eichel to tie the game with 22 seconds left in the period. Eichel’s second of the year evened the score despite both teams having vastly different starts.
Jack Eichel ties it up at 1-1 – assist from Reinhart #LetsGoBuffalo #NYR pic.twitter.com/xFWZduO8Ku
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) January 29, 2021
The second began similar to the previous period, with neither team scoring or receiving ample scoring chances early. While the Sabres’ shooting woes continued in the period, earning only four shots on goal, Artemi Panarin broke the tie and gave the Rangers back the lead at 16:10 of the second. Buffalo ended the second with nine shots on goal through two periods and have to improve on scoring chances
After the first two periods saw the inability of Buffalo to put pressure on the opposition, they started the third doubling their overall shot total by the halfway mark of the period. After being unable to capitalize on previous power-play chances, Sam Reinhart scored his third of the year on the power-play with just under five minutes into the period.
Reinhart PPG 2-2 #LetsGoBuffalo #NYR pic.twitter.com/0wqCFLYfQ7
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) January 29, 2021
Throughout the third, Linus Ullmark kept the game tied in what was one of his best performances ever in Buffalo. The game would reach OT and although there were chances early in the extra frame, an Eichel turnover resulted in Alexis Lafreniere scoring on a 2-on-1 and earning his first NHL goal on a game-winner as Buffalo fell, 3-2 to split this series.
In making his third straight start since returning to the team last week, Ullmark provided a strong presence in the net, compensating for the team struggles throughout a majority of the game, which consisted of a 1-for-4 showing on the power-play. Despite coming up short, Ullmark made 36 saves, and he is the main reason why Buffalo earned a point in tonight’s game despite being outshot by New York, 39-25.
Reinhart: "Linus got us a point, there is no way to dance around that one…" #Sabres
— Brian Koziol (@BrianWGR) January 29, 2021
The Sabres look to rebound this weekend as they host the New Jersey Devils, now coached by former Sabres bench boss Lindy Ruff, for a weekend matinee series, with the first game being played on Saturday, set for puck drop at 1 p.m.
"Ullmark has just been remarkable…" #LetsGoBuffalo #NYR pic.twitter.com/Qp0eQkFLdN
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) January 29, 2021