Alexandar Georgiev is finding a rhythm in the New York Rangers’ net these days; he made 31 saves Friday night in a 6-2 win over the Sabres in Buffalo.
Vladislav Namestnikov scored twice including a goal off a giveaway b the Sabres goalie, eight seconds after Pavel Buchnevich had scored.
“I think that’s good to see all the guys score, a lot of guys get rewarded,” said Namestnikov, who ended a 23-game goal drought dating to Dec. 18. “I thought we played a good 60 minutes. We weathered the storm there in the third, but overall we’re happy with our game.”
The Rangers improved to 25-24-8.
Boo Nieves, Jesper Fast and Jimmy Vesey also scored for New York.
Both Sabres goals were scored by Jeff Skinner, who has 36 goals on the season.
“It’s very disappointing because I feel we were taking a step in the right direction,” Buffalo coach Phil Housley said. “We were trending in a good direction. You have to understand desperation at this time of the season, and every shift counts, every play counts, the details of the game.”
Both Skinner goals were from the low slot after he was left unmarked by the Rangers’ defense.
“When we get our opportunities we have to sort of bear down and build off the momentum it creates,” Skinner said. “It just seems that we have our breakdowns and we aren’t able to recover, and we aren’t able to get back in. We have to get some of that confidence back and simplify our game a little bit and then we can chip away.”
Namestnikov ended a 23-game goal drought.
“I’m really happy for Vladdy because he’s played two great games,” Rangers coach David Quinn said. “I thought that Winnipeg game (a 4-3 loss Tuesday) he had some great chances. The chances he’s had he hasn’t been able to capitalize on them.”
[WATCH: All Rangers vs. Sabres highlights]
Linus Ullmark made 23 saves in the loss.
“Obviously we have to string some games together here. It’s coming down to the home stretch. Consistency is something we’ve kind of been up and down with this year, so we definitely have to find it if we’re going to give ourselves a chance,” the Sabres’ Zach Bogosian said after the disappointing loss.
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