Igor Shesterkin(g) steals one for the Rangers against Buffalo

The New York Rangers had no business winning tonight’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. None. But Igor Shesterkin decided they would win, and he simply stole two points for the Rangers tonight. There are very few who watched this game that would think otherwise. The Rangers came out flat for 20 minutes, with perhaps a flash of effort here and there. Meanwhile it was Shesterkin making multiple difficult saves to keep the game tied.

Luckily for the Rangers, they showed up in the third period after trading chances in the second. The big saves from Shesterkin still game, but the Rangers got a goal and found some effort. That effort also drew a pair of late penalties against Buffalo. The Rangers didn’t convert on the 5-on-3, but they got one on the 5-on-4 a few seconds later. That wound up being the dagger.

The win was a big one, but to be blunt, a better team smokes the Rangers with how they showed up tonight.

Rangers 1, Sabres 0 – Juking Miller

The Kid Line and K’Andre Miller did a good job here to keep possession in the zone, with Miller making a little juke at the blue line to get the puck deep. Eventually after a broken play, the puck wound up on Brendan Smith’s stick and he decided to let it rip. Jacob Bryson provided the screen.

Sabres 1, Rangers 1 – Bad timing

Bad late penalty. Bad turnover. Ending with bad recovery. Right before the goal, the Rangers had one guy back with four Sabres at the hash marks or below. The Rangers should have been much more conservative with eight seconds left on the clock.

Rangers 2, Sabres 1 – Big save, big goal

A big save by Igor Shesterkin (and Ryan Lindgren) kept the game tied. Then the Rangers turned it, with Ryan Strome in on the forecheck to get the puck behind the net. Alexis Lafreniere camped out in front, and what a rip from him.

Rangers 3, Sabres 1 – Powerplay puck movement

What a display this powerplay put on. The Rangers didn’t get the 5-on-3 goal, but they hit a pair of posts instead. Just as we thought the Rangers would look great but not score, Chris Kreider made a fantastic backhand pass through the crease to Mika Zibanejad.

Shot Heatmap – What happened to defense?

I get the Rangers are missing Jacob Trouba, but this is an awful defensive showing against a bad team. That’s a deep shade of blue for all those attempts Buffalo got from in front. It’s clear Shesterkin stole this one for the Rangers.

Skater Results – Bad fun

This is a lot of bad and a lot of fun. Meaning the Rangers were either trading chances or flat out bad. Another sign Shesterkin stole this for the Rangers.

The Rangers were not given any favors tonight, as Boston topped PIttsburgh. Like I said, making up points with so few games left is virtually impossible. But that’s ok. Technically they can catch the Isles, but that is also very unlikely. Stress free hockey for the last three seasons has been fun for me. I’ve enjoyed the hockey, even if there were some concerns. But that all ends next year.

Charts from Natural Stat Trick and Evolving-Hockey.