The Rangers successfully limited their opponent\u2019s offense, fostered chemistry and closed out games during this lengthy homestand that concluded Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When push came to shove against a hungry Buffalo team, however, the Blueshirts reverted to their old ways on home ice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They didn\u2019t just allow three unanswered goals in the third period to fall 5-3 to the playoff-bound Sabres.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Rangers were held without a single shot on goal for over 18 of the final 20 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ryan McLeod posted his first goal in 16 games to put Buffalo up 1-0, scoring off the rush less than five minutes in. <\/p>\n
The Sabres faced little resistance as they ushered the puck up the ice on two passes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Rangers scrambled in their zone not too long after. As they chased the puck, Rasmus Dahlin ripped a shot from the top of the zone that went in off Zach Benson in front.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jason Zucker (center) celebrates his third-period goal with Ryan McLeod as a dejected Will Borgen looks on during the Rangers\u2019 5-3 loss to the Sabres on April 8, 2026 at the Garden. NHLI via Getty Images<\/p>\n
With 39 seconds left in the first period, however, the Rangers power play converted on its first chance en route to a 2-for-3 showing on the night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Igor Shesterkin makes a save on Jason Zucker during the second period of the Rangers\u2019 loss to the Sabres. Bill Kostroun for New York Post<\/p>\n
Alexis Lafreni\u00e8re scored his first by redirecting an Adam Fox shot from the point, notching his 23rd goal of the season and his career-high 13th point on the power play. <\/p>\n