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| Rick Nash #61 of the New York Rangers celebrates his game winning goal at 18:18 of the third period (Photo by Getty Images) |
The New York Rangers did just enough to dispatch the lowly Buffalo Sabres. A few minutes later, a little help handed them home-ice advantage to start the playoffs.
Rick Nash scored the winning goal with 1:42 left, on New York's third shot of the third period, and the Rangers ensured they will begin the postseason at Madison Square Garden with a 2-1 victory over the NHL-worst Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night.
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
New York clinched second place in the Metropolitan Division when the Philadelphia Flyers lost at Tampa Bay later Thursday. The Rangers will face either the Flyers or Columbus in the opening round of the postseason.
Drew Stafford gave Buffalo a 1-0 lead in the second, and Benoit Pouliot tied it in the final minute of the frame.
Nash fired a one-timer off a cross-zone feed from Martin St. Louis and sent the puck past Hackett's glove to break the 1-all tie for his 26th goal. The Rangers then killed a penalty against Brian Boyle, the third Sabres power play of the third period.
