By WBFO News
Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Sabres beat the New York Rangers 5-2 Wednesday night, to take a one game to none lead in their second round playoff series.
The game was scoreless until late in the second period, when the Sabres scored three quick goals.
Sabres Forward Thomas Vanek scored twice, and Ryan Miller stopped 32 shots to spark the victory. Jason Pominville and Ales Kotalik also scored for a Buffalo team that played much better after struggling to eliminate the New York Islanders in five games in the first round.
The Sabres went up 3-0, scoring three times on four shots during a 4:05 span late in the second period.
Vanek opened the scoring 14 minutes into the frame with a power-play goal. Parked in front and a step ahead of defender Daniel Girardi, Vanek was in perfect position to deflect in Dmitri Kalinin's shot from inside the blue line.
Buffalo's fourth line struck for the next goal when Kotalik, set up by Adam Mair's pass, split two defenders and snapped a shot from the right circle that beat Henrik Lundqvist high on the far side.
Vanek capped the surge when he beat Karel Rachunek at the Rangers' blue line then drove in and around Paul Mara, and scored on a defenseless Lundqvist.
Game Two is Friday night at HSBC Arena.