Shots: BUF 27 | NYR 20
Buffalo Sabres Goals:
- McLeod (Zucker, Timmins)
- Benson (Dahlin, Byram)
- Tuch (Krebs, Thompson)
- Zucker (McLeod)
- Benson (Doan) (EN)
New York Rangers Goals:
- Lafreniere (Fox, Miller) (PP)
- Lafreniere (Fortescue)
- Fox (Trocheck, Zibanejad) (PP)
Final Thoughts
It was ugly, but the Sabres came away with two points. Special teams are a major concern with them going 0-4 on the powerplay including almost a minute of 5 on 3 time. The penalty kill surrendered two goals on three attempts.
Aside from the special teams’ woes, the turnovers in the defensive zone need to be cleaned up heading into the playoffs. To their credit, Buffalo kept on working and willed themselves to a three-goal third period.
Zucker’s game winner was a phenomenal display of hands around the net. Games don’t always need to be pretty to benefit the team, and this one certainly falls into that category.
The Sabres are now in first place in the Atlantic for now. Tomorrow, they take on Columbus who’s fighting for their postseason lives while Montreal and Tampa Bay face off. There may be only three games left, but there’s a lot of hockey left that could have a major impact on the playoffs.