NEW YORK – In a thrilling encounter at Madison Square Garden, the New York Rangers clinched a 4-3 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres, with Chris Kreider’s goal proving decisive. Mika Zibanejad’s exceptional play, including a goal and two assists, significantly contributed to the Rangers’ victory.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams showcasing their offensive capabilities. Ryan Lindgren opened the scoring for New York with a shot from the blue line, and Artemi Panarin extended the lead on a power play. Rasmus Dahlin and Jack Quinn responded for the Sabres, bringing the score level.
In the third period, Zibanejad’s goal from a rebound put the Rangers ahead, but Casey Mittelstadt’s effort tied the game for Buffalo, forcing overtime. Kreider’s game-winning goal came from Zibanejad’s brilliant play behind the net, setting up a tap-in for the decisive score.
Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves, playing a key role in the team’s win. For Buffalo, Dahlin’s performance was notable as he became the first defenseman this season to reach 10 goals and moved up in the Sabres’ historical rankings.
The Sabres’ Pyotr Kochetkov, despite the loss, made 29 saves, showing resilience under pressure. Jordan Greenway’s two assists for Buffalo were crucial in their scoring efforts.
This win for the Rangers (23-8-1) adds to their impressive run, with victories in five of their last seven games. The Sabres (14-17-4) displayed competitive spirit but ultimately fell short in the overtime thriller.
Noteworthy milestones included Kreider’s 41st game-winning goal, tying him with Mark Messier in Rangers history, and Zibanejad’s seven-game point streak with 13 points. Panarin celebrated his 300th game with the Rangers, having amassed the most points by a player through as many games with the team.
The Rangers’ victory underscores their ability to perform under pressure and secure wins in tightly contested matches, while the Sabres will look to build on their positive aspects despite the setback.
