BUFFALO, N.Y., May 4 (UPI) -- Chris Drury tied the game with eight seconds left in regulation Friday and Maxim Afinogenov scored in overtime as Buffalo beat the New York Rangers, 2-1.
Seemingly headed for a 3-2 deficit in their Eastern Conference semifinal series, the Sabres were the ones taking a one-game advantage, with Game 6 scheduled for Sunday in New York.
After almost three full periods of scoreless hockey, Martin Straka gave the Rangers the lead with 3:17 remaining in regulation with a slap shot. The puck went in and out of the net so fast the officials had to look at the replay to make sure it was a goal.
That score seemed certain to stand up as time ticked away, but Drury tied it on a slap shot to ignite the crowd and deflate the Rangers. It was Drury's sixth goal of the playoffs.
Afinogenov's goal came on the power play 4:39 into overtime. The goal came just 11 seconds after Blair Betts was sent off for hooking.
A win Sunday for the Sabres would send them up against either Ottawa or New Jersey with a berth in the Stanley Cup Finals on the line. Buffalo would have home-ice advantage in the conference finals.
