‘Though the outcome was essentially decided by special teams – New York opened the scoring on the power play and added the winner just seconds after a Buffalo penalty expired – it was further proof the Sabres are just good enough to lose.’
Archives for February 3, 2017
Mike Harrington: One way or the other, players will ultimately make Murray’s decision
‘The Sabres have obvious holes that Murray knows. The defense is too thin and the bottom-six forwards aren’t good enough, a work in progress as evidenced by Thursday’s decision to put Cal O’Reilly on waivers and try former AHL defenseman Nic Deslauriers at center. Murray said he’d be interested in “a really soft deal on a legitmate fourth-line center,” a reference to the salary cap and his desire to not give up a major asset.’
Sabres Notebook: Defensive unit loses another to first-period injury
‘There was no post-game update on Bogosian and head coach Dan Bylsma did not know if a hit on Bogosian by Rangers’ forward Jimmy Vesey was the cause of the injury. But he was pretty pleased with the way his five healthy defensemen – Dmitry Kulikov, Rasmus Ristolainen, Cody Franson, Justin Falk and Taylor Fedun – finished the game.’
Quick hits: Rangers 2, Sabres 1 (OT)
‘After Evander Kane hit the post in overtime, the Rangers’ Michael Grabner raced to the Sabres’ net and forced Taylor Fedun into a slashing penalty with 3:08 left. The Rangers ended the game just as Fedun was exiting the box.’
Sabres tie game late, lose to Rangers in OT
‘At that point, it seemed like the Sabres had seized the momentum, and sure enough, they nearly won it twice in overtime.’
Overcoming back injury tough for Sabres’ Dmitry Kulikov
‘“For old people, you get out of bed, you’re kind of stiff,” he said Thursday morning inside KeyBank Center. “So it’s just a little stiffer for me, I would say, when I get out of bed nowadays. I need to make sure I do stuff to have myself ready for the game.”’
Friday’s New York Coverage
Chris Kreider lifts Rangers over Sabres with clutch goal in overtime (New York Daily News)
Antti Raanta’s wife gives birth to couple’s first child, Rangers recall Hellberg to back up Lundqvist vs. Sabres (New York Daily News)
Henrik Lundqvist bounces back in big way in Rangers’ OT win (New York Post)
Rangers’ slump is a big problem for Brandon Pirri (New York Post)
Chris Kreider’s OT goal gives Rangers win over Sabres (Newsday)
Rangers’ Antti Raanta and his wife welcome their first child (Newsday)
Photo gallery (Newsday)
Kreider’s OT goal lifts Rangers over Sabres, 2-1 (SportsNet New York)
Chris Kreider’s OT winner (SportsNet New York)
Alain Vigneault’s comments after the Rangers win over Buffalo (SportsNet New York)
Kreider, Lundqvist Lift Rangers to OT Win Over Sabres (NYRangers.com)
Rangers at Sabres 2.2.17: Postgame Notes (NYRangers.com)
Photo gallery (NHL.com)
Photo gallery (Buffalo News)
Kreider scores in OT, Rangers beat Sabres 2-1
‘”I had him beat,” Kane said. “But it was a tough, tough, tough loss for some of the things we did out there.”‘
Lundqvist, Kreider lift Rangers to OT victory
‘Both teams had top-notch chances in overtime. Moving right to left, Lundqvist made a terrific save on Kyle Okposo 31 seconds into the extra session on a 2-on-1 opportunity. Evander Kane launched a hard shot off the post one minute later.’
Rangers down Sabres 2-1 in OT
‘A broken play in the offensive zone results in the puck landing on Cody Franson’s stick in the slot. He does not miss, and beats Henrik Lundqvist to tie the game. Now go get a second goal quickly, if you are the blue and gold. 1-1 tie.’