BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Scott Gomez scored the decisive shootout
goal, sealing the New York Rangers' 3-2 win over the slumping
Buffalo Sabres on Monday night.
After the two teams traded shootout goals, Gomez broke the tie
by faking right and tucking the puck just inside the left post past
spread-eagled goalie Ryan Miller. Jaromir Jagr and Fedor Tyutin
scored in regulation for the Rangers, who improved to 10-0-3 in
their past 13 games, and moved into a tie with Ottawa for
fifth-place in the Eastern Conference.
New York also inched to within three points of East-leading New
Jersey.
Jason Pominville had a goal and assist and Thomas Vanek also
scored for Buffalo, which fell to 1-3-2 in its past six games. The
Sabres did earn a point, inching to within three points of
Philadelphia, which holds the conference's eighth and final playoff
spot.
The Rangers overcame a 1-0 deficit, when Pominville scored 16
seconds in, but they also squandered a 2-1 lead, when Vanek tied
the game 14 minutes into the second period, deflecting in
Pominville's shot from the left point.
New York was playing its second game in two days after a 1-0
shootout win over Boston on Sunday.
Despite being outshot 26-21, and 7-3 in the third period, the
Sabres did have the better chances. With 7 minutes left in
regulation Vanek checked goalie Henrik Lundqvist off the puck
behind the net. The puck went to Buffalo's Drew Stafford, who shot
it through the empty crease on a wraparound attempt.
The teams then traded chances in the final minute of overtime.
First, Lundqvist stopped Maxim Afinogenov on a wide-open breakaway.
The Sabres then got fortunate at the other end when Nigel Dawes,
from the left circle, had Miller beaten but snapped a shot off the
post.
In the shootout, Lundqvist stopped the first two shooters he
faced, before being beaten by Pominville's snap shot.
New York's Brendan Shanahan opened the shootout with a goal.
The Sabres, already down veteran defenseman Henrik Tallinder
(shoulder), lost another, Jaroslav Spacek, who did not return after
sustaining what the team called an upper body injury in the first
period.
Notes: Rangers D Marek Malik did not play because of what the team
termed an upper body injury. ... Sabres RW Steve Bernier, acquired
in a trade that sent D Brian Campbell to San Jose two weeks ago,
missed his second straight game with a groin injury. ... Jagr's
goal was his 41st against Buffalo, tying former Quebec great Peter
Stastny for most by any Sabres' opponent.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)