New York Rangers analysis : Frustrating 3-1 loss to the Sabres

For the second straight season, the New York Rangers have started the season with two consecutive losses. On Saturday night, the team played well but did not convert their scoring chances.

The time old adage of woulda coulda shoulda has long been an adopted New York Rangers mantra. The team has always been close to making the big play in the big moment. However, as of late, the players on the ice have not converted the key changes. Against the lowly Buffalo Sabres, the Rangers were unable to put together a total game.

A combination of the inability to finish scoring chances as well as timely scoring from the Sabres made the game utterly frustrating. The Rangers outshot Buffalo by 15, the team finished with 44 yet was only able to score one single goal.

Both of Buffalo’s first two goals were scored under peculiar circumstances. The Sabres’ first goal from Conor Sheary came via a Rangers’ defensive breakdown. Both Brady Skjei and Jimmy Vesey were caught out of position and enabled the Buffalo breakaway. The two Rangers missed the bouncing puck in the neutral zone and neither communicated to the other to get back.

The second goal came on a Sabres power play in which the Rangers were caught out of position. Buffalo went circle to circle with the puck slipping past the reach of Marc Staal who was parked in front of the net. A wide open Sheary scored past Henrik Lundqvist who was trying to go post to post in an attempt to make the save.

The Rangers lone goal came from Brett Howden, the first of his NHL career, late in the third period. The goal put the team back within one, however, Buffalo’s Jack Eichel would score into the empty net to seal the deal.