Kreider's OT goal lifts Rangers past Sabres
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Chris Kreider scored at 3:56 of overtime to lead the New York Rangers to a 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
It was Kreider's 20th goal of the season. Following a give-and-go sequence with left winger J.T. Miller, Kreider's shot from the right circle beat goaltender Robin Lehner.
Mats Zuccarello also scored for the Rangers (32-18-1). Henrik Lundqvist made 36 saves.
Cody Franson scored for the Sabres (20-20-10). Lehner stopped 42 shots for Buffalo.
Both teams had top-notch chances in overtime. Moving right to left, Lundqvist made a terrific save on Kyle Okposo 31 seconds into the extra session on a 2-on-1 opportunity. Evander Kane launched a hard shot off the post one minute later.
After Kane's chance, the Rangers came the other way on an odd-man rush and Michael Grabner was in alone but his chance went wide of the net. New York also had a two-minute power play following a slashing call on Sabres defenseman Taylor Fedun.
Zuccarello opened the scoring with 2:10 remaining in the second period on a power-play goal. Zuccarello deflected defenseman Ryan McDonagh's shot from the right point for his 10th goal of the season.
Franson evened the score with 5:31 remaining in regulation. After Sabres winger Tyler Ennis drove to the net, the puck eventually found Franson in the slot and the defenseman placed a wrist shot inside the right post.
Though the scoring didn't begin until late in the second period, there was no shortage of scoring chances for both teams in what was a fast-paced, up-tempo game throughout.
Sabres captain Brian Gionta had two prime chances in regulation -- the first with 9:19 remaining in the first, the second with four minutes left in the second -- and was foiled by Lundqvist each time.
Rangers right winger Pavel Buchnevich had a wide-open opportunity 5:40 into the game but instead saw his shot go wide of the net and off Lehner's left pad. Lehner also came up big with a pad save on Grabner to open the second period.
NOTES: D Jake McCabe (shoulder) and C Cal O'Reilly were scratched for the Sabres. Cal O'Reilly, the older brother of Sabres standout Ryan O'Reilly, was placed on waivers earlier Thursday. Cal O'Reilly has no goals and one assist in 11 games with the Sabres this year. He also has a plus-minus rating of minus-6. ... D Adam Clendening, RW Brandon Pirri and G Antti Raanta were scratched for the Rangers. Rangers C Kevin Hayes (lower body) was placed on injured reserve earlier Thursday. ... This was the third and final meeting this season. Buffalo won the previous two encounters.