Gomez, Rangers Top Sabres in Shootout

BUFFALO — Scott Gomez scored the decisive shootout goal, sealing the Rangers' 3–2 win over the slumping Buffalo Sabres on Monday night.

After the two teams traded shootout goals, Gomez broke the tie by faking right and tucking the puck just inside the left post past spread-eagled goalie Ryan Miller. Jaromir Jagr and Fedor Tyutin scored in regulation for the Rangers, who improved to 10–0–3 in their past 13 games, and moved into a tie with Ottawa for fifth-place in the Eastern Conference.

New York also inched to within three points of East-leading New Jersey.

Jason Pominville had a goal and assist and Thomas Vanek also scored for Buffalo, which fell to 1-3-2 in its past six games. The Sabres did earn a point, inching to within three points of Philadelphia, which holds the conference's eighth and final playoff spot.

The Rangers overcame a 1–0 deficit, when Pominville scored 16 seconds in, but they also squandered a 2–1 lead, when Vanek tied the game 14 minutes into the second period, deflecting in Pominville's shot from the left point.

Despite being outshot 26–21, and 7–3 in the third period, the Sabres did have the better chances. With 7 minutes left in regulation Vanek checked goalie Henrik Lundqvist off the puck behind the net. The puck went to Buffalo's Drew Stafford, who shot it through the empty crease on a wraparound attempt.