Martin Biron and Artem Anisimov Lead the New York Rangers To an Overtime Victory

On Thursday night, the Rangers took on the Buffalo Sabres in their third game of a four game home stand. The Rangers were coming off a loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday and a loss to the St. Louis Blues on Sunday. The Rangers would finally find a way to win a game on home ice, as they defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 in overtime. The win was the Rangers' second of the season against the Buffalo Sabres.

The Rangers scored the lone goal in the first period, and it would come 14 minutes into the period. After a shot from Rangers rookie defenseman Michael Sauer was stopped by Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth, the rebound was free on the side of the net and tipped in by Rangers forward Ruslan Fedotenko for a goal. The Rangers entered the second period with a 1-0 lead.

With four and a half minutes to go in the second period, Tyler Ennis of the Buffalo Sabres scored to tie the game at 1-1. Rangers goaltender Martin Biron had the puck covered under his glove, but the referee failed to blow the whistle. Without a whistle blown, play went on, and the puck was eventually pushed past Biron and into the net for a goal.

The Rangers and Sabres would end up trading goals in the final minute of the second period, leaving the score tied 2-2 heading into the third period.

The first goal was scored by Artem Anisimov on a one-timer, assisted by linemates Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky. The goal came with 48 seconds remaining in the period.

But the Sabres would answer back, scoring a goal with only three seconds remaining in the period. Sabres forward Mike Grier found a free puck in the crease and shoved it into the back of the net to tie the game at 2-2.

No goals were scored in the third period and the game would head to overtime tied 2-2.

About 30 seconds into overtime, Rangers goaltender Martin Biron was forced to make a major save. The Sabres received a clean 2-on-1 after a terrible giveaway by Rangers center Erik Christensen. The two Sabres forwards, Thomas Vanek and Derek Roy, skated into the zone facing each other, Vanek holding the puck. The lone Rangers defenseman was Steve Eminger. Thomas Vanek made a late pass to Derek Roy, who had an open net to shoot at, and Martin Biron poke-checked the puck behind the net, ending the scoring chance.

A minute after that play, the puck was brought inside the offensive zone by Rangers forward Ruslan Fedotenko. The puck eventually found Artem Anisimov's stick in the slot area, and he ripped a shot past Sabres goaltender Enroth, winning the game for the New York Rangers.

For Anisimov, it was his second goal of the game and fifth of the season.

The Rangers' goaltending was outstanding in the victory. Martin Biron was called on to start two hours before game time and did not upset.

Filling in for a sick Henrik Lundqvist, who watched the game from the locker room, Biron was stellar in net, saving 29 of 31 shots. Biron made multiple game saving stops, including a huge stick save in the third period.

Biron received the second star of the game, but he could have easily been number one.

Post-Game Notes

Of the Rangers 28 shots in the game, five of them came from Artem Anisimov, four came from Ruslan Fedotenko and both Marian Gaborik and Alexander Frolov threw three shots on goal.

Dan Girardi led the Rangers in ice time with 26 minutes and 32 seconds of playing time.

Marc Staal led the team in hits with six and Ryan Callahan was just behind him with five. Brandon Prust was third on the team with hits, totaling four in the game.

Dan Girardi stood out in the blocked shots category, totaling four in the game.

Overall, the Rangers played a solid offensive game, a strong defensive game and their goaltending was outstanding in the win over Buffalo.

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