OPPONENT: Buffalo Sabres

2010-2011 RECORD: 29-25-7

2010-2011 LEADING SCORER: Thomas Vanek (23-29-52)

GOALIE: Ryan Miller (2.66 GAA, .914 SV%)

RANGERS LINES (ASSUMED):

Brandon Dubinsky-Artem Anisimov-Ryan Callahan
Wojtek Wolski-Derek Stepan-Mats Zuccarello
Vinny Prospal-Brian Boyle- Erik Christensen
Sean Avery-Kris Newbury -Brandon Prust

Ryan McDonagh -Dan Girardi
Matt Gilroy -Mike Sauer
Bryan McCabe -Steve Eminger

Henrik Lundqvist
Cam Talbot

Scratched tonight: Derek Boogaard (concussion symptoms), Alex Frolov (knee), Chris Drury (knee), Marian Gaborik (concussion), Martin Biron (collarbone), Ruslan Fedotenko (shoulder) and Marc Staal (knee).

STATE OF THE BLUESHIRTS: The Rangers come into this crucial game against Buffalo needing to bounce back from a tough loss to Tampa and increase the gap between then and the charging Sabres.  Currently Buffalo is only five points back of New York and holds a critical three games in hand on the Blueshirts, so the difference between as much as a seven-point lead and as little as three after tonight is massive. With Martin Biron out the questions about which goalie will start are over as Lundqvist will be ridden down the stretch.  I will be watching Bryan McCabe closely to see if he can repeat a very solid debut in his second outing.  For Buffalo, newly acquired Brad Boyes will be making his Sabres debut.

CRAZY THOUGHT: Zuccarello gets his first goal in 17 games

OPPONENT’S BLOG: Sabres Edge

PREDICTION: Rangers 3 Buffalo 2

 

 

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