The Buffalo Sabres extended their point streak to four straight games, despite a 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Rangers on Thursday night at KeyBank Center.
Ryan Strome put the Rangers on the scoreboard first thanks to his second goal of the season. The forward was able to skate into the slot and receive an Artemi Panarin pass for the goal. It came with New York keeping the play in the offensive zone for much of the opening period.
Buffalo did not create much offense in the first period, but a late burst allowed the blue and gold to score the game-tying goal that sent both teams to the locker room tied 1-1. Jack Eichel scored his second goal in as many games after Sam Reinhart fed a pass to the side of the net with just over 20 seconds remaining in the opening frame.
New York was able to score late in the second period to break the tie and take a 2-1 lead. The goal came with the teams playing 4-on-4, thanks to minor penalties to Jake McCabe and Colin Blackwell. Panarin scored the unassisted goal to collect his second point of the night.
Special teams, once again, helped the Sabres get on the scoreboard, this time early in the third period. Reinhart's second point of the game was a power play goal, thanks to a cross-ice pass from Victor Olofsson to tie the game at 2-2. The power play tally came with Ryan Lindgren in the penalty box for cross-checking.
That was the only goal in the third period, sending the two teams to overtime tied 2-2. Buffalo recorded a 15-14 shots on goal advantage over the final period of regulation.
Alexis Lafreniere scored his first career NHL goal in overtime, capitalizing off of a Sabres turnover in the neutral zone during the 3-on-3 period. Blackwell created the turnover for New York from Eichel, and the first overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft was able to beat Ullmark for the victory.
----------
GAME SUMMARY
Goal Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 19:38 - Jack Eichel (2) (Sam Reinhart, Matt Irwin)
NYR: 9:44 - Ryan Strome (2) (Artemi Panarin, Pavel Buchnevich)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
NYR: 16:10 - Artemi Panarin (3) (Unassisted)
Third Period:
BUF: 4:47 - Sam Reinhart (3) PPG (Victor Olofsson, Jack Eichel)
NYR: NONE
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
NYR: 2:47 - Alexis Lafreniere (1) (Colin Blackwell)
----------
PENALTY SUMMARY:
First Period:
BUF: 12:31 - Jack Eichel (Hooking - 2 min.)
NYR: 3:50 - Brendan Lemieux (Cross-checking - 2 min.); 15:57 - Ryan Lindgren (Holding the stick - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 0:32 - Matt Irwin (Tripping - 2 min.); 14:17 - Jake McCabe (Slashing - 2 min.)
NYR: 14:17 - Colin Blackwell (Interference - 2 min.); 17:11 - Ryan Strome (Slashing - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 10:46 - Jeff Skinner (Delay of game - 2 min.)
NYR: 4:27 - Ryan Lindgren (Cross-checking - 2 min.)
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
NYR: NONE
----------
----------
Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Artemi Panarin - NYR
2.) Linus Ullmark - BUF
3.) Alexis Lafreniere - NYR
----------
What's Next:
The blue and gold will stay home over the weekend and welcome the New Jersey Devils for a pair of games. The first game comes Saturday afternoon at KeyBank Center, with the puck drop scheduled for 1 p.m. EST on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. Pregame coverage with Brian Koziol starts at noon.