In a game that saw the New York Rangers suffer a 5-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, the team also faced the potential loss of another key player. Kaapo Kakko, the Finnish wing, exited the game late in the second period after falling awkwardly on his left leg in a collision with Buffalo defenseman Erik Johnson along the boards. Immediately after the collision, Kakko grabbed at his left knee and writhed in pain on the ice, causing an audibly queasy reaction from the crowd as the replay was shown on the MSG video board.

Unable to put any weight on his left leg, Kakko was helped off the ice and did not return to the game. This injury adds to the growing list of injuries that have tested the Rangers' depth over the past month. The team lost both Adam Fox and Filip Chytil in a November 2 game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Fox, who sustained a lower-body injury, was placed on long-term injured reserve but is expected to return on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings. Chytil, on the other hand, has only recently started skating on his own and is not expected to return soon.

In addition to losing key players like Kakko, Fox, and Chytil, the Rangers also faced a short-term absence of their top goalies. Both Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick were briefly sidelined, forcing the team to turn to Louis Domingue and Dylan Garand for a game. Despite these challenges, the Rangers have managed to maintain a strong record, going 7-2-1 without their top defenseman and second-line center.

The Rangers' matchup against the Sabres didn't start off well for the team, as they struggled to cleanly break out of their defensive zone and transition up the ice. The Sabres, coming off a 7-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, showed an edge to their game and took control early on. The Rangers did have the first power play of the game but failed to convert, with a potential goal being waved off due to a hand pass. The Sabres took advantage of the Rangers' defensive turnover, with JJ Peterka scoring the first goal of the game. Alex Tuch doubled the Sabres' lead in the second period, and although Mika Zibanejad's power play goal brought the Rangers within one, Tuch sealed the Sabres' victory with his second goal of the game.

The loss to the Sabres, combined with Kakko's injury, adds to the challenges the Rangers have faced in recent weeks. However, the team has shown resilience and continues to compete at a high level despite the absence of key players. As they look ahead to their upcoming games, the Rangers will need to rely on their depth and determination to overcome the obstacles they face.