BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Sabres are back in the win column. With a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers Friday night, the team snapped a two-game losing streak and picked up two much-needed points. The Sabres are now 24-23-8 on the season. Three different players scored while Carter Hutton gets the win in net. The Sabres will be back at home for a four-game homestand beginning on Sunday when they host Anaheim at 3 p.m.
3 observations from tonight's game
Reinhart responds
In last night's game, Sam Reinhart attempted to tie the game before the fIrst period was up and instead, the Red Wings went the other way and scored with .2 seconds on the clock to take a 2-0 lead into the locker room. Following the game, Reinhart was asked about whether he gave up on the Red WIngs second goal. He didn't sound happy with the question or being called out and responded by not answering the question. How did Reinhart respond? In the second period, Jack Eichel sent a nice pass to Reinhart as he followed it up with a backhand beauty. It was his 20th goal of the season, second on the team behind Jack Eichel.
1:13
One minute and thirteen seconds. That's how long it took for the Sabres to nearly blow a three-goal lead. With 2:53 left on the clock, the Rangers got their first goal of the game and at 1:40, got their second cutting the deficit to one. It was an ugly performance during that time and nearly cost the Sabres two points. Yes Carter Hutton allowed those two goals but for the most part, he played really well which is big considering his last start a few nights ago. If the Sabres need to learn anything from those final few minutes, it's about closing out games. They can't afford to give up quick goals like that against some of the others teams in this league.
Still a long way to go
Yes the Sabres are back in the win column but they've still got a long way to go. Winning a game here and there isn't going to cut it and the Sabres need to put together a nice multi-game win streak if they want to really get back into the playoff picture. They haven't been eliminated mathematically but with the way things have been going, playing in the postseason doesn't look too good. After tonight, 28 regular-season games remain. This team really needs to give its best effort every night and instill a little bit of optimism back into their fans.
