Buffalo Sabres Take 3-2 Victory Over Slumping Rangers

The Buffalo Sabres won for the 3rd straight game, dropping the New York Rangers 3-2 with a 2-goal performance by right winger Patrick Kaleta. The win puts the Sabres 2 points up on the Boston Bruins for first in the Northeast Division, while the Rangers remain one point up on the Philadelphia Flyers who sit in last place in the Atlantic Division, although the Flyers have a game in hand on the Rangers.

Derek Roy put Buffalo into an early lead backhanding his 7th of the season under Rangers' goalie Henrik Lundqvist after picking up the rebound from Thomas Vanek's backhander in front of the netminder. For Lundqvist, the loss was his 5th in his last 6 starts and he now sits with a 12-12-2 won/loss record.

The Rangers took over the lead with 2 quick power play goals midway through the period, with right winger Marian Gaborik figuring in on both. The right winger assisted on Ryan Callahan's tying goal at 10:22 at Callahan was left alone in the slot and he snapped a shot glove side on Buffalo's netminder Ryan Miller for his 6th of the year. Gaborik scored a power play marker less than 2 minutes later as he cruised in and shot from the face off circle beating Miller's glove just like Callahan had done moments before.

At 14:28, Kaleta struck for his 4th of the season, diving in the Rangers' crease and tipping the puck past Lundqvist's outstretched trapper to tie the game 2-2.

Buffalo defenseman Steve Montador was sent off at 8:35 of the 2nd period for a tripping penalty, but Kaleta got the winner with a shorthanded goal less than a minute later beating Lundqvist on a breakaway.

The Sabres head to Montreal Monday to face the Canadiens at home. The Rangers will also play Monday, hosting the Atlanta Thrashers.