Overview
- Buffalo scored three times in the third period to beat the Rangers 5-3 at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, clinching a postseason spot and reaching 104 points for first place in the Atlantic Division.
- Alex Tuch tied the game before Jason Zucker put the Sabres ahead, and Buffalo limited New York to one shot in the final period as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 17 saves.
- Alexis Lafrenière scored twice and Adam Fox added a goal for New York, which closed its home schedule at 14-20-7 and will miss the playoffs for a second straight season.
- The victory continued Buffalo's dramatic turnaround, with a 36-9-4 run since Dec. 9 and a league-best push since the Olympic break after years outside the postseason.
- Buffalo hosts Columbus on Thursday with Tampa Bay and Montreal two points back in the division race, while New York plays its final three games on the road.