The Buffalo Sabres paced the New York Rangers in the early goings of their matchup on Tuesday night, but were unable to finish on the chances they created. Despite a 7-0 high-danger chance edge in the first period, the Sabres eventually fell by a final score of 3-1 to the Rangers inside Madison Square Garden.
After a scoreless first period, the Rangers opened the scoring 2:22 into the middle stanza. Defenseman Brendan Smith stepped into a loose puck in the slot and uncorked a slapshot past Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for his fifth goal of the season and the 1-0 edge.
It looked as though Smith's tally would prove to be the difference heading into the second intermission, but Sam Reinhart had other ideas.
His team-leading 22nd goal of the season, and fifth in the last three games, came on the powerplay with 3.2 seconds left on the docket.
The next goal didn't come until the midway point of the third period, and it came off the stick of 2020 No. 1 overall pick Alexis Lafrenière. The Rangers rookie forward found himself all alone in the slot, and accepted a pass from Ryan Strome below the goal line to do the damage and re-claim the lead, 2-1.
New York's lead became 3-1 with 6:11 to play, when forward Mika Zibanejad continued his torrid scoring pace on the powerplay. Zibanejad's 20th of the campaign came on a man advantage given after Buffalo forward Drake Caggiula flipped a puck over the glass.
3-1 held as the final score when the dust settled, as the Sabres swallowed another loss. In the two-game set against the Rangers, the blue and gold were out-scored 9-4.
Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Igor Shesterkin - NYR
2.) Brendan Smith - NYR
3.) Alexis Lafrenière - NYR
What's Next:
The blue and gold ship up to Boston to battle the Bruins on Thursday night, April 29. Puck drop inside TD Garden is set for 7 p.m. EST, and the Paul William Beltz Pregame Show with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog starts at 6 p.m. EST on the radio home of the Buffalo Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.
