Zadorov scores in OT for Sabres prospects

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Defenseman Nikita Zadorov, drafted in the first round (No. 16) by the Buffalo Sabres in June, scored his second goal of the game 4:37 into overtime to give his team a 6-5 victory over the New York Rangers on Friday during the second day of action at the Traverse City Prospects Tournament.

Zadorov's goal, off a blistering low liner from the point that entered just inside the right post, gave the defending tournament champion a 2-0-0 mark. The Sabres will next face the Carolina Hurricanes (1-1-0) on Sunday during the final day of round-robin action.

After spotting the Rangers (0-1-1) a 1-0 edge, the Sabres scored three straight goals to close the first period. Nicholas Baptiste scored his first of two in the game, and Zadorov and Logan Nelson followed. Zadorov rebounded nicely following a less-than-average performance Thursday in a victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Baptiste, who has three goals and one assist in two games, has been a pleasant surprise to the Sabres managerial team on hand. The 6-foot-1, 189-pound right-handed shot was a third-round choice (No. 69) of the Sabres at the 2013 NHL Draft.

"Baptiste has been a big surprise," Sabres assistant general manager Kevin Devine told NHL.com. "He played very well in development camp for us too so he kind of just rolled right into Traverse City. He was just over in Russia playing in a tournament (Junior Club World Cup) and recently got back [with the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League]. So, if there's a surprise so far, Nick's the guy."

Rangers center Oscar Lindberg, a 2010 second-round pick (No. 57) of the Phoenix Coyotes, scored three goals. The 21-year-old Swede, who was invited to Sweden's Olympic camp, helped Skelleftea of the Swedish Elite League to its first league championship in 35 years last season. His 12 points earned him the Stefan Liv Memorial Trophy as playoff MVP.

Lindberg's third goal, 13:19 into the second period, pulled the Rangers within 5-4 before Josh Graves scored an unassisted goal to square the contest 21 seconds later. Eric Locke also scored for Buffalo, and Danny Kristo for New York, which finished 2-for-7 on the power-play.

The Sabres outshot the Rangers, 39-32, including an 18-7 margin in the second period. Buffalo goalie Andrey Makarov made 27 saves, including five shots faced in overtime.

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