AP Photo/Gary Wiepert

AP Photo/Gary Wiepert

The Rangers came out swinging Tuesday night in Buffalo and kept up the pressure from there, winning the tie despite a second period rally by the Sabres. Eric Staal continued to demonstrate that he’s fitting in with his new team, as his line forechecked hard, got shots, and crashed the net early and often. Brady Skjei looked similarly poised, making smart passes and even saving a goal as the puck trickled behind Antti Raanta at one point.

On the Sabres side of things Jack Eichel was electric as always, supported by Evander Kane and Sam Reinhart. In the end despite a late game powerplay the Rangers held on to win it, bouncing back from their unfortunate loss against the Islanders at home on Sunday.

Rangers 1 Sabres 0

A sensational dish from Mats Zuccarello gives Derick Brassard his 24th goal of the season and the Rangers first of the night. While regrouping in the defensive zone on the powerplay Zuc spots Brassard all the way up ice and sends him a laser beam pass, allowing Brassard to split the defense. In alone on the goaltender, Brassard puts a little move on and then roofs it for the goal.

Rangers 2 Sabres 0

Zucc keeps things going with a nice 5-hole goal to put the Rangers up by two early in the second period. Coming down the wing with the puck as he leads the breakout, Mats Zuccarello lays a drop pass off for Derek Stepan as the latter player is reaching the top of the circle. With Zuc in behind the two defensemen now committed Stepan, the latter player puts it right back to the diminutive winger as he’s moving from the bottom of the circle towards the goal line. Zuccarello then opens up to the Lehner, shows brilliant patience, and puts it between the goalies legs for his 22nd of the season.

Rangers 3 Sabres 0

A smart breakout gives the Rangers their third goal of the game and Fast his 10th of the season. Fast sends the puck up ice to Derick Brassard from his own blueline as Brassard and Kreider break into the zone. With two defenders covering Kreider as he goes to the net and one on Brassard as he moves in towards the right faceoff circle, Brass curls back and hits Fast with the pass as he’s entering the zone, with Fast one-timing it perfectly into the back of the net.

Rangers 3 Sabres 1

An outrageous pass from Sabres wunderkind Jack Eichel puts Buffalo on the board for the first time in the evening. Eichel breaks out of his defensive zone and enters the Rangers’ zone with speed as Sam Reinhart breaks with him down the middle. With two defensemen between him and Reinhart Eichel puts it between Yandle’s legs right to the tape of Reinhart for the tap in on Antti Raanta.

Rangers 3 Sabres 2

Another solid Sabres breakout makes it one goal game late in the second period. Receiving a breakout pass in the neutral zone, Brian Gionta skates the puck into the zone coming down the wing. Gionta opens up and forces Klein to get low in preparation to block the shot, then sends a centering pass to Johan Larsson for the one-timer finish.

Rangers 4 Sabres 2

A great play in the defensive zone by Mats Zuccarello sets up JT Miller for the empty netter. Miller carries it through the neutral zone with patience and then flips it into the empty net to seal the deal, losing his glove in the process. Hopefully this redeems him in the eyes of Alain Vigneault.

Shot Attempts and Scoring Chances

chart (22)chart (23)

While the Rangers ran away with possession though the second period they flatlined in the third while Buffalo surged. Scoring chances were much closer throughout the game, although again Buffalo’s late game rally is still evident on the latter chart.

Shot Locations

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Both teams had their fair share of shots in the home plate area, with the Rangers blocking a decent amount of Buffalo’s high-danger attempts.

Individual Shot Attempts

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Here we can see that Eric Staal’s line played a strong game, as did the Rangers’ puck moving defensemen in Keith Yandle, Dan Boyle, and Brady Skjei.

In the end despite two quick goals in the second and some serious pressure late in the third, the Rangers came out on top in front of Antti Raanta, who made some exceptional saves. Although it’s maybe a little concerning the way the Rangers let up in the third they played an overall strong game. The squad has a few days off before their back to back games this weekend but hopefully can keep the momentum going.

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