In New York, the Rangers very nearly victims of over confidence on Monday night in their match with the Buffalo Sabres.
Chris Kreider had two goals for the New York Rangers
Instead, the Rangers found two more goals in the third period to edge the Sabres, 5-3.
The loss was the 14th straight for the Sabres. They are 0-12-2 in the stretch.
“We don’t want to dwell,” Sabres head coach Don Granato said. “We can’t think of a streak. We can’t think of a streak when you’re on a winning streak. You don’t. It’s a competitive industry, you have to be a competitor and you have to plow through and let it go.”
Kaapo Kakko struck for two goals, including en empty-netter to ice the game, and a goal to end a 19-game drought.
“The way [Kakko] has been playing the last three or four games, we felt he was ready for more responsibility,” Rangers coach Kris Knoblauch said. “His play determined that switch. He deserved it.”
Keith Kinkaid made 16 saves to get the win.
“They played hard, they made it hard on us, and a lot of credit to them,” the Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad said. “Obviously this was one of the games we wanted to win and it’s as important as those Washington and [Philadelphia Flyers] games. We’ve got to keep it going.”
Adam Fox had a single marker for the Rangers.
“You sometimes get caught up in the standings but they’re still a good team, they’re an NHL team there, and they have NHL players,” Fox said. “For us, it was important to continue our strong play against one of the top teams like [the] Washington [Capitals, a 3-1 win Saturday] and carry that over.”
Chris Kreider also potted two goals for New York.
The Rangers had a 3-1 lead entering the third period, but Dylan Cozens and Jeff Skinner scored on the Sabres’ first two shots of the period to tie it at 3-3.
“It’s nice to show some fight and get a couple goals and get back in the game,” Skinner said.
Kreider scored his second of the game for the game-winner.
“Obviously this game means a lot more for the Rangers than the Sabres,” Knoblauch said. “We call these trap games, where you get up so much playing Philadelphia. You’ve got to pass them to get into the playoffs. Then you play the hottest team in the NHL in Washington, and now you’re playing Buffalo. But I think the effort and execution was pretty good tonight.”
Carter Hutton got the start for Buffalo, but tleft the game early in the opening frame from an apparent injury. He made two saves
Dustin Tokarski made 33 saves in relief.
“It was a lot of fun,” Tokarski said. “It’s been a little while. I’ve had some ups and downs in the last four, five years, but it’s been a good few years. I’m excited to be a part of Buffalo and get the opportunity to play in a game.”
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