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Mika Zibanejad’s OT winner lifts New York Rangers past Sabres

Apr 1, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA;  New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) during a stoppage in play against the Buffalo Sabres during the third period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

BUFFALO — Mika Zibanejad scored with 28 seconds remaining in overtime and the visiting New York Rangers defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 on Thursday.

Zibanejad entered the Sabres zone 2-on-1 and passed across to Artemi Panarin, who sent the puck back across to Zibanejad for a one-timer from the left circle.

Buffalo’s Tage Thompson forced overtime with 3.6 seconds left in regulation on a wrist shot from the left circle with the extra attacker on.

Colin Blackwell and Filip Chytil also scored for the Rangers, who have won two straight after dropping a pair. Igor Shesterkin made 21 saves.

Rasmus Asplund also scored for Buffalo, which lost one night after ending its 18-game winless streak (0-15-3). Dustin Tokarski made 44 saves.

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Chytil gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead at 6:17 of the third period. During a scrum in front of the net, Julien Gauthier pushed the puck to Chytil, who scored on a wrist shot from the slot.

The Rangers outshot the Sabres 36-10 in the second and third periods.

Asplund, who had missed the past four games because of a lower-body injury, gave the Sabres a 1-0 lead at 2:06 of the first period when he jammed the puck home during a scramble in front.

Blackwell’s ninth goal of the season tied the score 1-1 at 6:40 of the second period. Blackwell hit the crossbar during a two-on-one rush, but Ryan Strome got the rebound and passed cross ice to Blackwell, who scored on a one-timer from the left circle.

Strome extended his point streak to 11 games (two goals, 14 assists).

New York was 0-for-4 on the power play, while the Sabres were 0-for-1.

–Field Level Media

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