Adam Fox had a goal and two assists and Mika Zibanejad crossed a milestone on Wednesday to lead the New York Rangers past the host Buffalo Sabres 3-2.
In a game featuring a pair of slumping teams, Fox’s first goal of the season came on an empty net with 2:02 left to secure just New York’s third win in 11 games. It was a critical tally as the Sabres scored in the final minute to make it a one-goal game.
Before that, Fox assisted on the Rangers’ other two goals, by Reilly Smith and Zibanejad. Fox’s 24 helpers this season set a team record for most assists before scoring a goal.
Igor Shesterkin made 29 saves for the win.
The loss extended the Sabres’ season-high losing streak to eight games. Owen Power had a goal and an assist for Buffalo, and Tage Thompson also scored. Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 25 shots.
The Rangers took advantage of an interference penalty on Buffalo’s Connor Clifton to take an early lead. Zibanejad’s power-play goal came with 12:59 left in the opening period.
Zibanejad, 31, collected his 300th goal, becoming the eighth Swede to reach that mark in NHL history. He also has 399 career assists.
Artemi Panarin, playing in his 700th NHL game, got an assist on the play.
It would become a battle of goalies from there as Shesterkin and Luukkonen nearly matched each other save for save. However, the Rangers were able to double their lead when Smith corralled the puck coming off the end boards and scored when his shot caromed off the skate of Sabres defenseman Power with 6:31 left in regulation.
Power, whose turnover off the faceoff led to Zibanejad’s goal, scored with 4:41 left to cut the Rangers lead in half.
After Fox’s empty-netter, Thompson’s slap-shot goal with 38 seconds left pulled Buffalo within 3-2. However, an icing call with less than five seconds left ended the Sabres’ threat.
–Field Level Media
