Brian Gionta scores 1 goal and adds 1 assist to help Buffalo beat New York, 4-3.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres won their second consecutive game with a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday night at the KeyBank Center.
Johan Larsson gave Buffalo a 1-0 just 18 seconds into the action as he deflected Jake McCabe’s shot from center ice that bounced up and over Rangers goalie Henrik Lundquist’s shoulder and dropped just inside the far post into the net. Greece native and team captain Brian Gionta also drew an assist on the goal.
The Rangers tied the game late in the period on a power play goal against Buffalo goalie Andres Nilsson. Robin Lehner, who sustained an injury in the first period against Ottawa and left the game on Tuesday, did dress as the backup goalie for the Sabres.
New York forged ahead in the second period with another power play goal.
Gionta evened the count at 2-2 when Marcus Foligno leaped over Lundquist’s leg, raced behind the net and sent a pass to Gionta, who knocked it home on the empty left side of the net for his fifth goal of the season.
However, the Rangers scored less than 2 minutes later to regain the advantage, 3-2.
Midway through the third stanza Jack Eichel, playing in just his second game, tallied a power play goal to even the count at 3-3. Eichel scored less than 2 minutes later to put Buffalo back in front, 4-3.
Nilsson finished with 22 saves in earning his second straight win as Buffalo evened its record at 9-9-5.