The Sabres completed the comeback against the New York Rangers and got the 3-2 shootout victory to keep the point streak alive, making it four games in a row. This brings the Sabres record against the Rangers to 2-2-2 this year.
This team has completely shifted gears and has been playing at a much more competitive level and it showed tonight. Going toe-to-toe with the Rangers for a complete game as the shots were 30-29 in favor of New York.
Buffalo failed to score the first goal of the game when Artemi Panarin put New York on the board just halfway through the first period. However, it didn’t take long for the Sabres to catch up when Casey Mittelstadt snipes a beautiful goal past the Rangers goalie just 3 minutes later. It all started with an amazing outlet play from Rasmus Dahlin.
Patience is 🔑#LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/jAPXt2A9us
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) April 3, 2021
Mittelstadt: "I think me on a 2-on-1, I'm looking to pass…the D took the puck, I picked my spot to shoot and luckily it went in…" #Sabres
— Brian Koziol (@BrianWGR) April 4, 2021
Panarin would score his second of the night with just over 2 minutes remaining in the 2nd period. This would give New York a 2-1 lead going into the final frame. However, the Rangers almost beat the buzzer with a late goal that was just a half-second too late.
With just under 4 minutes remaining in the entire game, Victor Olofsson was able to find the back of the net for his 10th of the year. This would be the 2nd game in a row with Buffalo tying the game late and forcing overtime. The difference was that this game went to the shootout, something that goaltender Linus Ullmark has excelled at this season, now with 12 saves on 13 attempts.
Olofsson on Ullmark in shootouts: "I think he's probably one of the best goalies in the world, he's so patient, it's really hard to figure him out" #Sabres
— Brian Koziol (@BrianWGR) April 4, 2021
Ullmark stopped all 3 Rangers attempts and Tage Thompson scored in the shootout for Buffalo to get the win and complete the comeback.
Tage bringin' us home 🙌#LetsGoBuffalo | @LabattUSA pic.twitter.com/9anRZQeIpT
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) April 4, 2021
The highlight of the game was easily a diving save from Linus Ullmark in the 3rd period to keep things close. He was excellent tonight as he ended the game saving 28-30 shots.
🤯🤯🤯#LetsGoBuffalo | @Icebeardude pic.twitter.com/gmSHD6NIfC
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) April 4, 2021
The Sabres will be back in action this Tuesday at 7:00 pm in New Jersey against the Devils. The home-and-home, 2 game-series will wrap things up against New Jersey for the season.