01/08/26 09:29:00
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01/08 21:27 CST Sabres beat the Rangers 5-2 to win for the 12th time in 13 games
Sabres beat the Rangers 5-2 to win for the 12th time in 13 games
By STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Hockey Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --- Josh Doan scored, Colten Ellis made 30 saves in his first
game in a month and the Buffalo Sabres beat the New York Rangers 5-2 on
Thursday night to give them 12 victories in their past 13 games.
The Sabres last did that from Nov. 23 to Dec. 19, 2005. Buffalo moved into the
second Eastern Conference wild-card slot by winning its 43rd game, making this
the latest point in a season the team has been in a playoff spot since Feb. 24,
2023, through 57 games played.
While the organization with the NHL's longest playoff drought is still a long
way from making it for the first time since 2011, there were a few positive
signs about the ability to keep this run going. Bowen Byram made everything
happen to set up Alex Tuch's goal, and Jason Zucker scored off his back on a
power play in his second game back in the lineup following a lengthy absence.
Most notably, the Sabres held on when the ice was tilted in their direction
clinging to a one-goal lead in the third period. Ellis stopped the final 12
shots he faced after allowing a bad goal to Vincent Trocheck in the first
minute of the third period, and Mattias Samuelsson scored short-handed seconds
after teammate Peyton Krebs' double-minor for high-sticking put Buffalo on a
4-minute penalty kill.
Ryan McLeod sealed it with an empty-netter with 1:30 remaining.
The Rangers, playing without injured No. 1 goaltender Igor Shesterkin and top
defenseman Adam Fox, have lost two in a row and five of seven. Jonathan Quick
allowed four goals on 20 shots, and New York lost for the 15th time in 20 home
games this season.
Referee Peter MacDougall left midway through after taking a puck to the face
and did not return.
Up next
Sabres: Open a five-game homestand Saturday night against Anaheim.
Rangers: Visit the Boston Bruins on Saturday in an Original Six matinee.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
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