Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen score to send the game into overtime vs the NY Rangers.
By Jourdon LaBarber / Sabres.com
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Playing in frigid temperatures that dipped into the teens and 18 mph winds that only added to the cold, the Buffalo Sabres fell short of a storybook ending in a 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Rangers at the 2018 Bridgestone Winter Classic at Citi Field on Monday.
Rather than look at it for what it wasn’t, though, the Sabres generally opted to take it for what it was, which in this case included an opportunity to grow as a team in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere and a continuation of the steady play they’ve exhibited since early December.
“I think we played a really good hockey game,” alternate captain Kyle Okposo said. “At times, I thought we really took it to them. I thought that we probably had the better of the play, but we didn’t get the result that we wanted so you have to really just take the experience and relish in it and look back on it as a positive.”
Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen scored goals for the Sabres, who trailed 2-0 at the end of the first period. They turned their game around in the second, and seemingly had momentum in their favor until Jacob Josefson was called for a tripping penalty in overtime.
J.T. Miller scored the winning goal with the Rangers on the power play with 2:17 to play in the extra period.
“I am really proud of the way our guys performed tonight,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said. “When you look at the game and it’s 2-0 and 14-4 shots in the New York Rangers’ favor, you could have easily dipped the other way. But our guys dug deep and found a way to get back in the game.”
The Sabres leave New York having earned four out of an available six points during their three-game tour of the Metropolitan Division, all of which included overtime. They began the week with an overtime loss to the Islanders on Wednesday and rebounded with a win in New Jersey on Friday.
In fact, the Sabres have now earned points in nine of 12 games dating back to their victory in Colorado on Dec. 5. They’re 4-3-5 in that span, which came in the immediate aftermath of a stretch that saw them lose eight out of nine.
“Those are tough times,” Housley said. “You really learn a lot about yourself as a player and as a team, even as a coaching staff. But I really like the way we’re playing right now. You can see it out there, that there are times when we bend but we don’t break, which is a credit to our team.”
The first period on Monday was one of those times. The Sabres were heavily outshot right out of the gate, and only 4:09 had elapsed by the time Paul Carey opened the scoring on New York’s ninth shot of the game. Michael Grabner added to the Rangers’ lead less than seven minutes later.
Buffalo’s recipe to success from that point on was the same as it’s been whenever they’ve won games as of late. The Sabres played faster, became more active physically and simplified their game. Their work ethic shows in the amount of penalties they were able to draw, of which there were five.
Robin Lehner was strong in net, making 39 saves.
“We were on our toes in the first period,” Housley said. “I think, maybe, we were a little awestruck. When we dug in and we started making the right choices, making simple plays, in effect it got our feet moving and we looked faster.”
The Sabres very nearly won the game in overtime on a 2-on-1 rush between Reinhart and Jack Eichel, but Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh was able to interrupt Reinhart’s attempt at a pass across the net.
For the Sabres, that would have been the perfect ending. Instead they’ll simply have to settle and take the experience for all it was worth. One day, it might pay off.
“It’s more like getting ready for a playoff game,” Okposo said. “That’s kind of the stage that was set with all the media, all the hype, all the attention. It’s a good learning experience for us. Hopefully when we do get in the playoffs, whenever that may be, we can draw on this.”
Risto ties it up
After scoring for the first time this season in overtime against New Jersey on Friday, Ristolainen joked that he had initially planned to net his first goal at the Winter Classic. He settled for goal No. 2 instead, which tied the game just 27 seconds into the third period.
Ryan O’Reilly initiated the play by forcing a turnover on the forecheck, freeing the puck to land on Ristolainen’s stick at the point. The defenseman wound up and placed a shot into the top corner of the net, over the shoulder of Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist.
Ristolainen finished the night with two points, including the primary assist on Reinhart’s goal. It’s no surprise that he stepped up on the big stage when you consider his history, which includes scoring the golden goal at the World Junior Championship and three overtime winners in the NHL.
“The bigger the game is, I like it more,” Ristolainen said.
One for Reinhart
Reinhart spoke on Sunday about making sure to take full advantage of the Winter Classic stage, knowing it could be an opportunity that only comes around once in a career. He did so in vintage Reinhart fashion, setting himself in front of Lundqvist on the power play and cleaning up a rebound for his sixth goal of the season.
The goal snapped a 16-game drought for Reinhart and pulled the Sabres within one after just 56 seconds had passed in the second period.
“I think any time you score in a situation like that, you’re going to be happy,” Reinhart said. “It was one of the better ones, to see it go in for sure.”
As for the power play, Buffalo went 1-for-5 on the night with a combined 12 shots.
Fighting the elements
When one thinks about an outdoor game, precipitation, wind and the cold air all come to mind as elements that could make an impact. On Monday, the most impactful element was actually the sun, which was most prominent during the first period.
“It was tough, but we’re in no position to complain,” Reinhart said. “I looked over at the start of the second, their bench was still in the sun. For me, that was the worst part. My eyes were kind of more tired than anything, trying to battle through that.
“Lundqvist had to battle through it in the net in the first period, so they’re going through the same things. It’s something you can’t really prepare yourself for, but you try to enjoy it as much as you can.”
Lehner goes old school
Lehner came out for warmups wearing an old-school goalie mask reminiscent of one you’d see in the 1970s (or on the face of Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th). Lehner had previously tested the mask during a practice in December, and hinted we’d see it in some capacity at the Winter Classic.
Up next
The Sabres will hit the road again to play the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night. Coverage on MSG-B begins at 7:30 pm with the GMC Gamenight Pregame Show, or you can listen live on WGR 550. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 pm.