NEW YORK (NY) – With normal starting goaltender Henrik Lundqvist still out with neck spasms, the New York Rangers would turn to back-up Annti Raanta once again for a strong performance. He would prove reliable once again with a 34 save performance as New York defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-2.
Mats Zuccarello – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
Rangers have not lost back-to-back games since December and their streak would continue yet again, even after the Sabres gave them a scare.
New York held just a 1-0 lead after the first period, but two quick goals from Mats Zuccarello and Jesper Fast in the second gave them a cushy 3-0 lead with 13:55 remaining in the period. Sabers head coach Dan Bylsma made the choice to pull Lehner for back-up and one-time Ranger Chad Johnson.
“…there’s 12:30 to go and we needed a spark. We needed a change in our game and that’s really why I pulled Robin” Bylsma reasoned.
Undeterred and finding a spark, the Sabres scored two late second period goals themselves from Sam Reinhart and Johan Larsson to cut the score to 3-2 headed into the third period.
The Blueshirts have had trouble finishing their games lately this season, either giving up the game-tying or go-ahead goal late in the third period. Ranter’s 19 saves on 19 shots in the third period made sure that didn’t happen.
“[Raanta] works extremely hard,” captain Ryan McDonagh said. “A goaltending backup role is something that’s got to be tough to handle with mentally, never knowing when your next start might be when your starter’s healthy. But obviously,
Derrick Brassard roofed a shot for Rangers in win over Sabres – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
he knew he was going to have to be relied upon here for a good stretch.”
J.T Miller scored an empty net goal for the Rangers with one minute remaining.
New York’s next game with be in Detroit against the Red Wings who currently hold the last wild card spot and are looking to stay afloat. The game will be at 2pm on Saturday, March 12th.
Buffalo’s next tilt will be a road match in Montreal against the Canadians at 7:30pm, Thursday.
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