NEW YORK, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Mike Richter made 33 saves Saturday night as the New York Rangers snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
Richter saw only four shots in the first period, but turned away 29 of the 31 he faced over the final two and won for the first time in his last five appearances.
Mark Messier had a milestone goal and an assist for the Rangers, who were mired in their longest slump of the season (0-4
1) before taking over first place in the Atlantic Division.
Messier scored his sixth goal with 2:52 left in the second period to make it 3-0 and became the third player in NHL history to reach 1,800 points, joining Wayne Gretzky (2,857) and Gordie Howe (1,850).
Mike York and Theo Fleury also scored for New York, despite playing without linemate Eric Lindros. He sat out with a knee injury on the same day he was named to the Canadian Olympic team.
