New York Rangers edge Buffalo Sabres in surprise comeback 3-2 -NHL Update
New York seemed to have lost the edge as Buffalo took the lead early in round-three of Saturday night's contest, but the Rangers showed that they were not one of the best teams for nothing with a surprise comeback to down Buffalo Sabres, 3-2, at the sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York.
Rangers still hold the top spot in the Eastern Conference, with 84 points that give them a huge seven-point lead over defending Stanley Cup champions, Boston Bruins. They are also favourites to end the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season at the top position.
Drew Stafford got the first of the night, 13:29 into the opening period for his 11th of the year in a round that kicked off with a fight as Paul Gaustad and Brandon Prust exchanged fists, only eight seconds in.
Carl Hagelin levelled the match, nearly midway through the second, but it was Stafford yet again to take the lead, 44 seconds into the final 20 minutes.
Marian Gaborik gave New York exactly what they needed to tie up the match, and could have even taken the game in regulation time, as Buffalo gave the last period's only power play chance with Tyler Ennis out for interference.
Rangers’ captain, Ryan Callahan, made the game-winner in overtime, with just two minutes to go, for his 24th of the year and 100th career goal, a milestone he will definitely cherish for life.
"I thought it was a really solid 60-minute game out of us," Callahan said. "In the last stretch, we've been a little inconsistent. We didn't get the wins we wanted to. I think it was important tonight for us to come out and have a good 60-minute game."
Going against a rival team is always exciting and the thirst for winning is much greater than regular matchups.
"We wanted this badly," New York Rangers’ superstar, Brad Richards, said. "We've been a little bit all over the map the past two weeks. This time of year, the details have got to be there.
Buffalo is finding it harder day by day to get back into the playoff race and have just a little over a month to do it. They have the next against Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday.
New York on the other hand, will be ending the month against New Jersey Devils on Monday.
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