Dec 23, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) celebrates his overtime winning goal against the Buffalo Sabres with New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) during the overtime period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
NEW YORK (AP) — Chris Kreider scored 2:28 into overtime, Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves and the New York Rangers beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 on Saturday night.
Kreider picked up his 17th goal of the season after Shesterkin denied Buffalo’s Casey Mittlestadt on a breakaway. Kreider also had an assist, giving him five in his last three games.
On the winning play, Mika Zibanejad curled behind the Sabres net before backhanding the puck to Kreider in the slot.
“I looked up and Kreids was basically in the net,” Zibanejad said. ”It was easy to make the play to him.”
Zibanejad had a goal and two assists as New York won for the 15th time in its last 21 games against Buffalo. Artemi Panarin and Ryan Lindgren also scored for the Rangers.
Zibanejad snapped a 2-2 tie with his 13th goal 7:13 into the second period. Zibanejad has seven goals and six assists during a seven-game point streak.
But Mittlestadt scored his ninth 6:50 into the third. Mittelstadt has 13 points, including four goals, in his last 11 games against the Rangers.
The Rangers’ Barclay Goodrow was called for high-sticking at 17:09 of the third, and Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin was sent off for hooking Zibanejad at 18:46. But both teams came up empty on the ensuing power plays.
The Rangers entered their holiday break with a 23-8-1 record. They lead the NHL in wins and are tied for first in points with 47.
“It’s nice to finish up with a win,” Zibanejad said. “We’ve put ourselves in a good spot. It’s a lot nicer going into a break with a win.”
Lindgren and Panarin scored in the first period, but Buffalo rallied on goals by Dahlin late in the first and Jack Quinn early in the second.
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