Artem Anisimov shines to lead the New York Rangers to victory over the Buffalo Sabres
New York Rangers forward Artem Anisimov was the hero by scoring a pair of goals, including the overtime winner, to help his team earn a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday 11 November.
How it happened
The Rangers got the only scoring of the first period when Ruslan Fedotenko managed to tip in a loose puck after Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth failed to cover it up in front of his net.
The Sabres tied the game at 1-1 with under five minutes to go in the second period after Tomas Vanek did some excellent work deep in the Rangers zone, skating behind the net on a wrap around to create
a scoring opportunity. Derek Roy couldn't hit the rebound home, but Tyler Ennis managed to finally squeeze the puck past Martin Biron.
Anisimov put the Rangers ahead with less than a minute to go in the second period, but Sabres forward Michael Grier answered right back with just three seconds left in the period to tie it at 2-2.
With no goals scored in the third period, the game was sent to overtime. One minute and thirty-two seconds into the extra frame and Anisimov was able to pick up a loose puck in the slot and fire a hard
wrist shot into the top corner for the win.
What they're saying
Rangers goalie Biron was solid in goal for his team, stopping 29 of 31 shots and earning the game's second star.
"I thought he made some huge saves. He made big saves at key times for us," Rangers coach John Tortorella said about his goalie after the game. "We may not get it to overtime with some of the saves he
made. Not just for tonight but for what we're trying to do with our goalies in the future."
This game also marked the return of the Rangers' top forward, Marian Gaborik, who had missed 12 games with a shoulder injury. Gaborik was held off the scoresheet but had almost 20 minutes of ice time and
three shots. "I just kind of have to get my hands back," Gaborik told reporters after the game. "Get 'em on the same page as my legs."
The Sabres picked up a much needed point by forcing the game to go to overtime as they continue to struggle at the bottom of the Northeast Division standings. They get set to take on the Eastern Conference
leaders, the Washington Capitals, on Saturday 13 November.
With the win the Rangers have nudged their way into the top eight in the Eastern Conference. They host the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.
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