The Buffalo Sabres defeated the New York Rangers 5-3 on Apr. 8 at Madison Square Garden.
The game was notable as the Sabres came from behind after trailing by one goal following the second period. The team scored three unanswered goals in the third period, outshooting the Rangers eight to one during that time. This marked Buffalo’s fourth win of the season when entering the third period behind.
Ryan McLeod ended a 16-game goal drought by scoring early in the first period and later added an assist. Zach Benson contributed two goals, marking his second career multi-goal game and his first since his rookie season in 2023-24. Jason Zucker also had a strong performance with a goal and an assist, including what would become the game-winning goal.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen started in net for Buffalo for the fifth time in six games, making 17 saves on 20 shots to secure his twenty-first win of the season. With this victory, Buffalo reached 104 points and now leads Tampa Bay and Montreal by two points atop their division while having played one fewer game than both rivals.
The Sabres will return home to face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night.
