Goaltenders night out as New York Rangers win 1-0 SO against Buffalo Sabres - NHL Update
Well it is not a score line anyone expected seeing the big difference in these two teams season this year but nothing can be taken for granted in the National Hockey League (NHL). The New York Rangers were outshot but goaltender Henrik Lunqvist put in a
massive performance to help the Rangers take a 1-0 shootout victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
The victory keeps the Rangers top of the Eastern Conference three points above the chasing Boston Bruins with a 32-12-5 record.
No one expected the Buffalo Sabres to give much of a fight who after the season they had are one of the worst teams in the league but the Sabres surprised everyone with their gritty performance holding off a much better side for the whole game while also
surprisingly mounting the majority of offensive moves.
Buffalo however, could not take advantage of their more shots as they failed to beat Lundqvist even once from their 34 shots and Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller’s heroic performance in front of the net was undone in the shootout as they unluckily lost out.
The Sabres defeat ends a run of two wins and keeps them in 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 21-24-6 record.
Miller seemed disappointed about losing out in the end in what was by far his best performance in a poor season for the team and himself but felt that it was fun to go against someone as good as Lundqvist.
"It was fun to be a part of. I haven't had too many good outings in the last few months," Miller said. "To go up against Lundqvist, who's having a great season, and have a night like this, where it kind of puts us in the spotlight at each end, it's nice
to be a part of.”
Lundqvist got his third shutout in the last six games and Coach John Tortorella waxed lyrical about his goaltender’s performance.
"I don't think he's been at this level. He's improved this year," Tortorella said, "If you want to get to where you want to be, you need goaltending like that. He's certainly provided that."
The game ended scoreless in all three periods including overtime as both goaltenders looked unbeatable. Lundqvist saved 34 shots while Miller stopped 29 to keep the game tied.
A shootout was on the cards. Miller was beaten for the first time on the night as Marion Gaborik put the puck past the veteran goaltender to give Rangers a 1-0 lead.
Both saved the next two shootout attempts before Sabres Jason Pominville beat Lundqvist to tie the score.
The score remained equal right over the next four attempts. In the end it took a special move by Rangers Captain Ryan Callahan to beat Miller and win the game for Rangers.
New York will next face Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, February 5th while Buffalo will face the New York Islanders on Saturday.
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