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Rangers top Sabres in OT

Nov 12, 2010 - 8:30 AM New York, NY (Sports Network) - Artem Anisimov's goal 1:32 into overtime lifted the New York Rangers to a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres at the Garden.

Anisimov also scored in regulation along with Ruslan Fedotenko for the Rangers, who halted a two-game skid. Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, New York's regular starter, was scheduled to play but was a late scratch due to an illness in favor of Martin Biron. Biron finished with 29 saves.

Rangers forward Marian Gaborik returned to the lineup after he had missed the past 12 games with a separated shoulder. This was the third installment of New York's four-game homestand, which concludes Sunday against Edmonton.

Tyler Ennis and Mike Grier scored for Buffalo, which fell to 2-4-2 in its last eight games. Jhonas Enroth allowed three goals on 28 shots in the loss.

"Overall, I think we generated some good chances and did some good things offensively, and we need to build off of that," said Buffalo's Thomas Vanek.

In overtime, Anisimov gained control of the loose puck in the slot along the inner rim of the left circle, then fired a wrist shot above Enroth's shoulder as the home crowd erupted in celebration.

"It was a big win for us -- we played hard and we deserved to win," said Anisimov.

Fedotenko's rebound from near the top of the crease during a scramble in front of the net gave the hosts a 1-0 lead at 14:04 of the first period.

With 4:27 remaining in the middle stanza, the Sabres knotted the contest. Vanek's stuffer attempt at the left post was denied, as was Derek Roy's rebound attempt from the top of the crease. However, Biron, despite laying on the ice in the crease, failed to control and get the whistle before Ennis swooped in and pushed the puck across the goal line.

The final minute of the second period saw both teams score again.

First, at the 19:12 mark, Anisimov's fourth goal of the season put the Rangers back on top. Brandon Dubinsky used his body to maintain puck possession behind the net and slipped a backhand pass from near the left post into the crease area, where a one-timer snap shot from in close by Anisimov lit the lamp.

The Rangers appeared to be content to simply let time expire in the stanza, and the Sabres took advantage of the indifferent attitude and scored on a similar play. With 2.9 ticks to go, Grier banged the disc over the goal line from atop the crease following Rob Niedermayer's pass from behind the net.

Game Notes

New York defenseman Michal Rozsival did not play and will miss at least one week with a right shoulder strain...The Rangers are now 3-5-1 at home this season...New York has won both meetings with Buffalo so far this season...The Rangers were 0-for-5 on the power play, while the visitors ended scoreless on both of their chances with the extra skater...Ennis has four goals in 2010-11.