Sabres Rally Past Rangers 5-3 on Zucker's Late Goal

Buffalo overcame a 3-2 deficit in the third period to defeat New York at Madison Square Garden.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:18am

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An abstract, energetic painting with bold brushstrokes and neon colors, capturing the dynamic movement and raw emotion of a hockey game.The Sabres' late comeback victory over the Rangers showcases the thrilling intensity of NHL playoff hockey.NYC Today

The Buffalo Sabres came from behind to beat the New York Rangers 5-3 on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. Jason Zucker scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period to lift the Sabres to victory after teammate Alex Tuch had tied the game. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 17 saves for Buffalo.

Why it matters

The win keeps the Sabres in the playoff hunt in the tight Eastern Conference race, while the Rangers missed an opportunity to gain ground on their division rivals.

The details

Zucker scored his 24th goal of the season at 7:14 of the third period to break a 3-3 tie. The Sabres had fallen behind 3-2 earlier in the game before Tuch evened the score. Luukkonen was solid in net for Buffalo, making 17 saves to earn the victory.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, April 9, 2026.

The players

Jason Zucker

A forward for the Buffalo Sabres who scored the game-winning goal in the third period.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

The goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres who made 17 saves in the victory.

Alex Tuch

A forward for the Buffalo Sabres who scored the game-tying goal in the third period.

Igor Shesterkin

The goaltender for the New York Rangers who was in net for the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to dig deep and battle back. The guys showed a lot of character to come from behind and get this win.”

— Jason Zucker, Sabres Forward

What’s next

The Sabres will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Rangers will try to rebound in their next game.

The takeaway

This was an important come-from-behind victory for the Sabres, who showed resilience to overcome a late deficit and keep their postseason hopes alive. The Rangers, meanwhile, missed an opportunity to gain ground in the standings.