Sabres Defeat Rangers 5-2, Extend Streak to 12 in 13 Games

In New York, the Buffalo Sabres defeated the New York Rangers 5-2 on Thursday night, extending their winning streak to 12 victories in their last 13 games and bolstering their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Josh Doan tallied a goal for Buffalo, while goaltender Colten Ellis recorded 30 saves in his first appearance since missing nearly a month due to a concussion sustained on December 9. The victory marked Buffalo's 43rd win of the season through 57 games, propelling the team into the second wild-card spot in the East. It represents the latest point in a season that the Sabres have occupied a playoff position since February 24, 2023. The franchise, which holds the NHL's longest active playoff drought and has not qualified since 2011, showed resilience in maintaining momentum during the game.

The Sabres built their lead through a combination of opportunistic scoring and defensive stands. Bowen Byram orchestrated a sequence that led to Alex Tuch's goal, while Jason Zucker, returning for his second game after an extended absence, netted a power-play tally by redirecting a shot off his back. The third period tested Buffalo's resolve, as they clung to a one-goal...