Looking to extend their win streak to four games, the Sabres came into MSG and looked to be in control. Carrying a 1-0 lead into the third period, the Rangers found a way to get on the scoreboard and eventually won in a shootout by a 3-2 score.
The game may never have reached overtime if it weren’t for Nathan Gerbe, who scored a shorthanded goal in the 3rd period to tie the game at two. Steve Ott did most of the work and earned the assist, and Gerbe earned his 3rd goal of the season.
The Sabres had numerous chances in overtime because of a pair of New York penalties, but they couldn’t take advantage of them. The loss snapped a three game winning streak for the Sabres, but they have still earned seven of the past eight possible points.
Down 1-0 early in the third period, the Rangers headed to the power play after Andrej Sekera was penalized for hooking. Shortly after, Patrick Kaleta took a boarding penalty in the third period after hitting Brad Richards from behind into the boards, resulting in a five minute penalty and a game misconduct.
It didn’t take long for the Rangers to capitalize. Derek Stepan ripped home the game tying goal just seven seconds after the Kaleta penalty, but the Rangers remained on the power play for almost another five minutes. Less than a minute later, New York was on top, thanks to Rick Nash’s 5th goal of the season.
Drew Stafford got the Sabres on the board midway through the second period after Mikhail Grigorenko set him up with a pass. It is the second game in which Grigorenko has earned a point, earning him his first career point streak.
After just four shots in the first period the Sabres put 14 shots on Henrik Lundqvist in the second, beating him once and taking a 1-0 lead into the 2nd intermission. Buffalo finished with 30 shots on the night, while the Rangers had 28.
Thomas Vanek missed his 2nd straight game with an upper-body injury, but the Sabres managed to get three of four points without him in the lineup this past weekend.
As we near the halfway point of the season, the Sabres have put together a four game point streak over the past week, which have put them just a few points out of the final playoff spot.
The Sabres next game will be on Tuesday in Carolina. That game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Following that, the Sabres will continue their four game road trip with the final two games against New Jersey and Philadelphia.