The New York Rangers eventually lost their four games, when Alexis Lafrenière beat the overtime winner against the Buffalo Sabers. There was a lot to like about the Rangers game tonight as they dominated on the offensive side of the inning and eventually came out with a win. Igor Shesterkin returned tonight after a shaky outing against the Pittsburgh Penguins and scored his first win of the season.
1st period
Ryan Strome (2) – Artemiy Panarin (5) & Pavel Buchnevich (4) – 9:44
The Rangers came out on top in this game with a bit of a jump to their game and were rewarded with the opening goal. Ryan Strome clinched a beautiful pass between Pavel Buchnevich and Artemiy Panarin and buried his second goal of the season. Buchnevich created the initial chance with a crane pass low and it generated Panarin enough space to do his thing. Ryan Strome could slip unnoticed on the right side of the ice, and Panarin hit him right on the tire. Linus Ullmark never stood a chance with the quick passing against his momentum, and New York took an early 1-0 lead.
Jack Eichel (2) – Sam Reinhart (3) – 19:38
Despite the Rangers playing one of their better periods of the season, the late goal struck again when Buffalo tied the game at 19:38. After a misread dump in the zone, the Sabers were able to quickly turn the puck back on ice on a strange man. Sam Reinhart found Jack Eichel driving the back pole, and Eichel somehow opened his stick to receive the pass. K’Andre Miller did everything in his power to prevent the chance, but just could not tie Eichel’s stick in time, to prevent the diversion.
2nd period
Artemiy Panarin (3) – Unhelped – 16:10
During the first 40 minutes, the Rangers’ zone entries and pre-checks were miles better than ever. Artemiy Panarin was finally able to break the deadlock late in the second period when he cut a quick shot past Linus Ullmark on the short head. Ryan Strome was able to pull two defenders in front of the net towards him, and consequently they left Panarin unoccupied in the left-hand circle.
3rd period
Sam Reinhart (3) – Taylor Hall (6) & Victor Olofsson (4) – 4:47
It will not be a third period for the Rangers this season if it does not lead to a lead. A very dangerous hit by Ryan Lindgren on Kyle Okposo led to an early power play in Buffalo, and they responded immediately with a goal. Sam Reinhart sent a beautiful tik-tac-toe-pass game home, and Igor Shesterkin could not switch in time to save.
Overtime
Alexis Lafrenière (1) – Colin Blackwell (2) – 2:47
Alexis Lafrenière would have been able to score at least a hat-trick tonight with the amount of quality looks he had before the net. After missing the previous two attempts, the 19-year-old was the charm for the third time when David Quinn sent him overtime over the boards. Colin Blackwell made an excellent defensive play in the neutral zone to bring about a 2-on-1 rush, and none other than Alexis Lafrenière broke down the middle of the ice. Blackwell hit Alexis with a beautiful center pass and he beat Linus Ullmark to a pump that missed his original shot.
It was the perfect end to a game where you could see Lafrenière was more than late for his first NHL goal. At the same time, the Rangers can hopefully use this victory to build up some confidence as they return home after a four-way trip to Madison Square Garden. The Rangers did give up another equalizer in the third period, but I think their reaction is the most. They immediately came back with a strong offensive shift, did not feel sorry for themselves and found a way to close the game in overtime.
After the thrilling victory tonight, the Rangers will return home Saturday night for another duel against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Alexis Lafrenière arrived.