BUFFALO — Currently, the Rangers have been discovering methods to lose as an alternative of discovering methods to win.
In a low-event sport between two spiraling groups, nonetheless, Igor Shesterkin and the Blueshirts successfully defended a one-goal lead for a majority of the 60-minute affair earlier than taking a 3-2 victory over the Sabres Wednesday evening at KeyBank Heart.
The Rangers prevented a 3rd straight loss, whereas additionally handing the Sabres their eighth in a row.
Shesterkin picked up his first win since signing an NHL-record contract for a goaltender — eight years at $11.5 million per yr — this previous weekend.
Stopping 28 of the 30 pictures he confronted, the star Russian netminder improved to 10-10-1 on the season.
The Sabres, sitting in fifth place within the Atlantic Division, missed the online so much.
Following a scoreless center body, defenseman Connor Clifton rang one off the submit within the third interval.
All of Buffalo’s greatest probabilities, nonetheless, weren’t taken benefit of or just executed poorly.
The KeyBank Heart crowd ensured their displeasure was heard, whereas Rangers followers in attendance bought some supportive chants in earlier than they have been drowned out by boos.
Nonetheless, the Rangers defended higher than they’ve regardless of dropping Okay’Andre Miller earlier than the beginning of the third interval.
He was dominated out for the rest of the sport with an upper-body harm.
Reilly Smith then scored his third purpose prior to now 4 video games to present the Rangers some insurance coverage.
It was finally an crucial purpose, after Owen Energy lower the Rangers’ lead in half with 4:51 left in regulation.
The Sabres pulled their goalie with over two minutes to go, however Adam Fox hurled his first purpose of the season into an empty internet from the nook of the Rangers zone.
It was finally the game-winner as Tage Thompson made it a one-goal sport with lower than a minute left.
The Rangers performed a strong first interval, over which they outshot the Sabres 11-7 and emerged with a 1-0 lead.
Attending to the center of the ice and profitable puck battles, the guests managed to attract two penalties via the opening 20 minutes.
They capitalized on the primary simply over seven minutes into the sport, when Artemi Panarin fed Mika Zibanejad for simply his second power-play purpose of the season.
Zibanejad was energetic in all three zones within the win, totaling a purpose, 5 pictures and two hits.
Particular groups grew to become an element early, with the Sabres incomes an influence play simply 20 seconds after puck drop.
The Rangers got here out on high in each classes, keeping off each of Buffalo’s energy performs and going 1-for-4 with the person benefit.
By means of their two energy performs, the Sabres didn’t register a single shot on purpose.
