Anisimov's second of night puts away Sabres in OT

2010-11 Game No. 16; Home Game No. 9		Rangers' Record: 8-7-1
VIDEO: HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME
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GAME RECAP By Jim Cerny, newyorkrangers.com On a night where Marian Gaborik returned to the lineup after a 12-game absence, it was a player who had not scored in nine games and a goaltender who did not even expect to play who shared the spotlight in the Rangers’ thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over the Buffalo Sabres Thursday night at The Garden. Gaborik’s return from a separated left shoulder clearly injected some life into the Rangers’ attack on Thursday, but while last season’s leading scorer was held without a point, Artem Anisimov scored twice for the Blueshirts, including the game-winner 1:32 into overtime. Meanwhile, Martin Biron, playing in the place of the ailing Henrik Lundqvist, who was out with the flu, stepped in to also play a starring role and finished with 29 saves. “Marty was great in net, and I think everybody chipped in and everybody helped the team to win,” said Gaborik. With Lundqvist set to make the start on Thursday, Biron not only took part in the team’s optional morning skate, but he was on the ice longer than usual playing with his six-year old son. However when Lundqvist arrived at The Garden a couple of hours before game time feeling too ill to play, Biron quickly refocused and shifted gears preparing to make the start in goal. “Even before (John Tortorella) told me I was starting I was kind of already in game mode because I knew I had to be prepared for anything,” said Biron, who earned his second victory in four starts this season. “It’s part of the job to be ready for things like that.” Ironically, during warm-ups an Anisimov shot hit Biron in the ... • READ THE FULL STORY | PHOTO GALLERY

PHOTO OF THE GAME STAT OF THE GAME Artem Anisimov's game-winner gave the 22-year-old his first multi-goal performance of the 2010-11 season and the second of his NHL career. Anisimov, who led all skaters with five shots on goal, now has six points in the last six games with multiple points in three games over the span. THREE STARS (selected by newyorkrangers.com) 1. A. Anisimov 2. M. Biron 3. Fedotenko

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THE BIGGER PICTURE Wins like this one are vital for teams that intend to reach the playoffs and are character-builders as well. The Rangers had an apparent goal waved off again, but didn't hang their heads and claimed the full two points vs. an Eastern Conference opponent.

RANGERS LEADERS Time on Ice -- Girardi (26:32) Shots -- Anisimov (5) Hits -- Staal (6) Blocked Shots -- Girardi (4) Takeaways -- Gaborik (3) Faceoffs Taken -- Dubinsky (17)

NEW YORK RANGERS LINEUP VS. BUFFALO
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Brandon Dubinsky	Artem Anisimov	Ryan Callahan
Alex Frolov	Erik Christensen	Marian Gaborik
Ruslan Fedotenko	Brian Boyle	Brandon Prust
Sean Avery	Derek Stepan	Todd White

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Marc Staal	Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto	Steve Eminger
Matt Gilroy	Michael Sauer
Goaltenders: Martin Biron, Henrik Lundqvist Starting Lineup: Biron, Del Zotto, Eminger, Fedotenko, Boyle, Prust.

POWER PLAY UNITS
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Ryan Callahan	Brandon Dubinsky	Marian Gaborik
Alex Frolov	Erik Christensen	Artem Anisimov

POINT MEN
Left Point	Right Point
Dan Girardi	Michael Del Zotto
Marc Staal	Matt Gilroy

PENALTY KILLING UNITS
FORWARD UNITS
Forward	Forward
Ryan Callahan	Brandon Dubinsky
Derek Stepan	Artem Anisimov
Brandon Prust	Brian Boyle

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Marc Staal	Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto	Steve Eminger