The Buffalo Sabres put in a good battle with the New York Rangers on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers and the Sabres went scoreless through 20 minutes and traded goals in the second period, but a couple of New York goals midway through the third period took the wind out of Buffalo's sails as they fell, 3-1.
The Sabres had plenty of opportunities, but unfortunately just couldn't figure out a way to solve Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin at 5-on-5.
Let's take a look at our three observations from Tuesday night's matchup:
1.) Reinhart keeps his goal streak going
The Sabres have struggled with offensive consistency all year. That was on display for many Sabres players on Tuesday night, but not for Sam Reinhart.
Reinhart is riding a hot streak at the moment with a three-game goal streak, all while producing a career season on the shortened schedule.
Reinhart's career-high goal total is 25 in 82 games. He very well could hit the mark in just 54 games this season.
With Reinhart in his contract year, you have to wonder how high his price tag can go as he continues to play big minutes as Buffalo's No. 1 center. He's producing and showing that he could be a great piece to keep for the future for the Sabres.
2.) Luukkonen puts in another solid start
Injuries have taken out both the goaltenders that the Sabres started the year with. That's not how you want to see a guy get his chance in the NHL.
However, the injuries to Linus Ullmark and Carter Hutton have provided a couple of opportunities for goalies in the Sabres system.
We've seen plenty of Dustin Tokarski lately, and Jonas Johansson got his cup of coffee as well with Buffalo before his trade to the Colorado Avalanche.
The biggest opportunity has gone to the Sabres' youngest netminder - Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
Luukkonen picked up his first win in his first NHL start this past Friday, and he certainly played well enough to keep the Sabres in the game during his second start, taking on 41 shots from the Rangers.
So far in his young career, Luukkonen has faced 81 shots and allowed seven goals on those shots, good for a .913 save percentage in his first two starts.
Luukkonen has faced two frames already where he's faced 20 or more shots in a single period.
For a young goalie, it's been a difficult test for Luukkonen, in which so far he's passed.
3.) Cozens shows he can do it all on the ice
Need a goal? Dylan Cozens can probably make it happen. If not, he'll probably make a great play to make it happen that way.
Need a physical presence? The "Workhorse from Whitehorse" has shown he's not afraid to throw his body around on the ice.
Need a guy to stand up for a teammate after a dirty hit? Cozens showed for the second time Tuesday night he's not shy about that either.
Cozens has had a nice rookie season for the Sabres, battling through a couple of early injuries but when he's been healthy, it seems he is making, at least, one play a night you love.
The 20-year-old was skating in the neutral zone when Rangers forward Kevin Rooney laid a dirty hit on Drake Caggiula near the Buffalo bench at the red line. Cozens wasted no time, dropped the gloves, and made Rooney answer for his hit.
It's great to see this type of attitude from Cozens, a rookie who should be expected to be with the Sabres for years to come. The Sabres could use more of those types of attitudes in their skill players.
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The Sabres played their final games against the Rangers, and now they prepare for their final matchups with the Boston Bruins. The Sabres head to TD Garden in Boston on Thursday to face the Bruins.
We'll start things off with the Paul William Beltz Pregame Show hosted by Mike Schopp and the Bulldog at 6 p.m. ET. Opening faceoff in Boston is scheduled to take place just after 7 p.m. ET on the radio home of the Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.