Score: Sabres 2 | Rangers 3
Shots: BUF – 25 | NYR – 39
Sabres Goals: Jack Eichel (2) and Sam Reinhart (3)
Rangers Goals: Ryan Strome (2), Artemi Panarin (3), and Alexis Lafreniere (1) (OT)
Plus 1 | Linus Ullmark
The Sabres had no business getting anything out of this game. They were outplayed from the first puck drop, but Linus Ullmark stole them at least a point. He made 36 saves on 39 Rangers shots. That included a few big saves on the penalty kill late in the game to get the Sabres to overtime.
Plus 2 | Linus Ullmark
For real, he stole them a point.
Plus 3 | Linus Ullmark
Seriously.
Plus 4 | Sam Reinhart
Alright, fine. Reinhart was one of maybe two players that were good for the Sabres tonight. He had a goal and made a beautiful pass to Eichel for the first goal of the game. He also made a slick play in overtime to send Rasmus Ristolainen and Eichel in on a 2 on 1 that resulted in no shot on goal.
Minus 1 | Eakin line and Ristolainen/McCabe pair
It was a rough night for this five-man group tonight. The Panarin line dominated them the entire game in this matchup. All five of these players ended the game under 10% in on-ice shot quality share (xGF%) at 5 on 5.
Minus 2 | Taylor Hall
Hall is one of a few players having some luck issues, but I disliked his game tonight. He had a lot of turnovers and just didn’t look engaged in the game at all. Eventually, he was moved off Eichel’s line and onto the Staal line. It may be time to break up that Eichel and Hall duo.