Rangers slip past Sabres in shootout 3-2

Ryan Callahan also scored for New York in the shootout. Derek Stepan added a goal, and Henrik Lundqvist made 28 saves. New York has won two in a row.

"It's a big win," Nash said. "I'm proud of the guys. They stuck with it and we got a big win."

Drew Stafford and Nathan Gerbe scored for Buffalo. Ryan Miller stopped 26 of 28 shots. The Sabres' season-high three-game winning streak ended.

"We need to come through with points," Miller said.

Buffalo is 12th in the Eastern Conference with 20 points in 23 games. The Sabres had a two-man advantage in overtime, but Lundqvist kept the game tied.

"We gave ourselves a chance to win the game. It comes down to a power play in overtime. I think we can be a little bit better on that."

New York received a scare 3:28 into the third when Brad Richards was shoved from behind into the half boards by Sabres right wing Patrick Kaleta. Kaleta was assessed a five-minute major for checking from behind and was given a game misconduct.

Richards was on the ice for nearly two minutes before being helped to the bench. He returned to the game.

"No need for it," Richards said of the hit. "That's not a hit that was ever in the game, I don't think. That's a little different than (a) headshot. That's just stupidity.

"It's not hockey. I don't know what game he plays, actually. He doesn't play hockey to begin with. It's the same guy all the time."

Kaleta was not available for comment after the game.

"It was hard to tell how extreme it was. I'll have to take a look at it. We have to be smarter in that situation," Sabres interim coach Ron Rolston said. "Pat is a heart and soul guy. He's a competitor. He lays it on the line every game so he's a guy, I'm sure, (that) is disappointed about it."

Nash and Callahan scored in the shootout while Jason Pominville and Tyler Ennis missed for Buffalo.