National Hockey League
NY Rangers 3, Buffalo 2
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, January 28, 2021
Where: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
Referees: T.J. Luxmore, Garrett Rank
Linesmen: Brad Kovachik, Andrew Smith
Attendance: N/A

Alexis Lafreniere recorded his first NHL point with an overtime goal, helping the visiting New York Rangers snap a four-game losing streak with Thursday's 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

Off a two-on-one-situation, Lafreniere, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, took a saucer pass from Colin Blackwell and beat Buffalo netminder Linus Ullmark (36 saves) 2:47 into the extra session. Lefreniere had to wait seven games to find the scoresheet for the first time, but it resulted in the Rangers' second win of the season.

Artemi Panarin added a goal and assist for the Rangers in the victory.

The Sabres' Sam Reinhart made it 2-2 at 4:47 into the third period on a redirection of a Victor Olofsson pass for Buffalo's sixth power-play goal in three games. It would stay tied through the rest of the period as Buffalo played past regulation for the third time in four games.

Despite the loss, the Sabres have earned at least one point in four consecutive games (2-0-2).

Eager to start strong, New York was the aggressor early on while outshooting Buffalo 5-1 through the first five minutes of the game. As was the case in their 3-2 loss at Buffalo on Tuesday, the Rangers struck first. This time it was Ryan Strome, who flipped in a cross-slot pass from Panarin with 10:16 left in the opening period.

Despite being outshot 15-5 in the first, Buffalo tied the game at 1-1 with 22 seconds left before the first intermission. Reinhart threw the puck close enough to the Rangers' net that Jack Eichel was able to tap it by New York goaltender Igor Shesterkin (23 saves) for his second goal in two games.

It looked as if the second period would come and go without a goal. Then Panarin pounced on a loose puck near the front of the net and converted to snap a four-game goal drought to give New York the lead back with 3:50 left in the middle frame.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
NY Rangers   Buffalo
Artemi Panarin 2 Points Sam Reinhart 2
Artemi Panarin 1 Goals Sam Reinhart 1
Artemi Panarin 1 Assists Sam Reinhart 1
N/A Power Play Goals Sam Reinhart 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Igor Shesterkin .920 Save Percentage Linus Ullmark .923
Igor Shesterkin 23 Saves Linus Ullmark 36
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
NY Rangers 39 3 0-3 3-4 10 27
Buffalo 25 2 1-4 3-3 8 30
Upcoming Games
  • Buffalo will play their next game at home against New Jersey. The Sabres have a W/L % of .333 after a win and .500 after a loss.
  • NY Rangers will play their next game at home against Pittsburgh. The Rangers have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .400 after a loss.