After having not won back-to-back games since November, the Sabres were denied a 3rd straight victory Wednesday at FNC against the Rangers. New York picks up a 1-0 win over Buffalo in the 5th round of a shootout.
In a game that featured the goaltenders, a showdown between Ryan Miller (29 saves) and Henrik Lundqvist (33 saves), neither team was able to find the back of the net in regulation or during 5 minutes of overtime.
Statistically, both sides were about as even as two teams could be through the game's first 40 minutes. After two periods, Buffalo and New York battled to a scoreless tie with 19 shots apiece. The scoreless tie continued well into the final period, but the Sabres had plenty of chances to grab the lead. Brad Boyes couldn't finish off a Ville Leino pass in front of the Rangers net, and Nathan Gerbe was foiled by Lundqvist just a few moments later.
Buffalo found itself on the power play twice in the final five minutes of regulation, however failed to capitalize on either man advantage. Less than a minute into overtime, Tyler Ennis smacked Dan Girardi behind the Rangers net and was penalized 2 minutes for boarding, much to the disgust of Lindy Ruff and the 18,690 in attendance. Miller, however, kept New York out of the net during the ensuring power play. Derek Roy had a chance to win the game with about 20 seconds to play in overtime. However, facing a gaping wide-open net, Roy backhanded an Andrej Sekera rebound off the side of the left post.
In the shootout, Marian Gaborik struck first for the Rangers when his shot rocketed off the crossbar and into the Buffalo net. The following shooter, Brad Boyes, was denied on a spectacular save courtesy of Lundqvist. Miller returned the favor with a great save on Brad Richards.
Jason Pominville kept the Sabres alive a few shooters later by ripping a shot into the New York net, but Tyler Ennis rang one off the post a round later. After Derek Stepan and Ville Leino were both denied, Ryan Callahan ended it by beating Miller in the 5th round.
Despite the loss, Miller turned in his 3rd solid performance in a row and gained a point by virtue of the game having gone to overtime. Buffalo improves to 48 points, 9 back of 8th place Toronto in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres are back in action Saturday against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum.
1st period:
Goals:
None
Penalties:
11:38 - NYR - Mike Rupp - Hooking - 2 min
12:57 - NYR - Dan Girardi - Tripping - 2 min
20:00 - NYR - Brian Boyle - Roughing - 2 min
20:00 - Buffalo - Patrick Kaleta - Roughing - 2 min
2nd period:
Goals:
None
Penalties:
14:51 - NYR - Stu Bickel - Hooking - 2 min
3rd period: Goals:
None
Penalties:
6:00 - BUF - Tyler Ennis - High-sticking - 2 min
14:49 - NYR - Anton Stralman - Hooking - 2 min
18:22 - NYR - Michael Del Zotto - Delay of game - 2 min
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