Levi wins first NHL game with Skinner's help

[Buffalo Rick]

I wont lie, the Rangers did not look very focused.  Likely tired from a go with New Jersey the night before, and backup and once feared Halak was very good.  Skinner split the Rangers D in OT to beat them.  The first goal surrendered by LEVI was actually a mistake by Dahlin.  Levi never had a  chance on it.  The 2nd was a scrum in front of the net I felt he should have covered.  But these goalies lose the sight of the puck.  Anyway, a much needed win to stay in pursuit of Pittsburgh and the Islanders.  The Sabres of course are not as good without Tage Thompson who missed another and is not likely to play in Philly tonight.  I do not recognize the goalie named for the Flyers tonight so that is likely why the Sabres are favored in this game in Vegas?  But I just cant imagine Levi playing back to back but he is young?  I would rather see Luukenen of the other 3.  I believe he is the only one that could be motivated by Levi's performance and arrival?  I still have hope he can be at least a backup here but his game must improve, especially if we go to a shootout.  On to Philly in another must win game I would think.  Pittsburgh somehow has the big advantage of the schedule.

[Brewin Flames]

Devon Levi records 31 saves, wins in Sabres debut

11:44 PM ET

• Associated Press

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Devon Levi made 31 saves in his NHL debut to help the Buffalo Sabres beat the New York Rangers 3-2 on Friday night, and pull five points behind Pittsburgh for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.

Jeff Skinner scored at 1:50 of overtime to seal the win. J.J. Peterka and Jordan Greenway also scored for the Sabres, who recovered after giving up a 2-0 lead to improve to 3-0-1 in their past four games.

"I thought our guys would work hard to support [Levi] with it being his first night," Sabres coach Don Granato said. "I thought they did a nice job with that, allowing him to get into the game and into a feel of things. He was very good."

 

Levi, who played at Northeastern University the past two seasons, signed a three-year entry-level contract on March 17.

"It was a dream come true, I've dreamt of that moment my whole life," Levi said. "To have my family and friends here as well who have been dreaming for this moment also their whole lives with me, it's just incredible to have that support."

Kaapo Kakko and Adam Fox scored for New York, which has lost two straight but pulled three points behind second-place New Jersey in the Metropolitan Division. Jaroslav Halak made 31 saves.

 

 

"We were fortunate to get a couple of goals, but we didn't play well," Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said. "We had one line show up tonight and play hard every shift. That was it and we were fortunate to get a point."