The Buffalo Sabres turned in, what was, probably their worst performance of the 2020-21 season on Thursday night at KeyBank Center. The team was able to salvage a point thanks to a stellar performance from goaltender Linus Ullmark, but it was the first overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, Alexis Lafreniere, who scored his first NHL goal in overtime to give the New York Rangers a 3-2 overtime win.
Let's take a look three observations from the game:
1.) Ullmark's huge night kept Buffalo in it all game
Since returning from his leave of absence after the passing of his father, Ullmark has started every single game for the Sabres. In his fourth-straight start, the Buffalo netminder came to play, stopping 36-of-39 shots faced in Thursday's overtime loss to the Rangers.
Ullmark has made 121 saves on 136 shots in his recent four-game stretch, putting together a .917 save percentage.
2.) Buffalo sluggish all night against Rangers
The Sabres seemed to lack the speed they'd been attacking with in their previous effort against the Rangers and the Washington Capitals. The Rangers out-shot the Sabres, 39-25 on Thursday, and seemed to have the edge nearly all night.
The Sabres pretty much allowed the Rangers to play their game all night, especially when they were shorthanded. Buffalo allowed 10 shots when shorthanded, with Ullmark stopping them all.
3.) Ristolainen-McCabe pairing a poor match for the Rangers
Sabres defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and Jake McCabe have formed a formidible pair to begin the season for the Sabres, but both men had a night to forget on Thursday.
Overall, the Rangers were able to control play while they were on the ice, and the pair led to their first goal-against in the first period to Ryan Strome. Strome took a great pass from behind the net from Artemi Panarin, which found its way between the two Sabres defensemen.
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The Sabres will welcome the traveling New Jersey Devils to Buffalo on Saturday afternoon for the first of two matchups at KeyBank Center. Faceoff is set for 1 p.m. EST with the Paul Williams Beltz Pregame Show at 12 p.m. EST on the Radio Home of the Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.
