rangers sabres

The Rangers face life without Kevin Klein for the first time tonight, as they are in Buffalo to take on the woeful Sabres. This Sabres team is actually trying to tank, and doing a bang-up job there. As you’ll see in this game preview, I just don’t even know who the Sabres dress anymore.

The Rangers, meanwhile, went 4-0-1 against the Predators, Blackhawks, Islanders, Red Wings, and Capitals. They did this without Henrik Lundqvist. That is nothing short of impressive. Tonight is a gimme for two points, so naturally it’s a trap game. Buffalo stinks.

Admin note: I wrote this on Friday afternoon, so there’s a chance the lines are incorrect for both teams. I’m at Disney for the weekend, so I apologize if this is off.

What have they done lately?

The Sabres stink.

Sabres Systems

Ted Nolan has the Sabres running a 1-2-2 forechecking system and try to shut down the middle of the ice. For the defensive zone, he has them playing a zone system pretty much exclusively. On special teams, the Sabres run an 1-3-1 power play and a hybrid penalty kill.

Sabres Lines

Matt Moulson-Johan Larson-Tyler Ennis
Marcus Foligno-Philip Varone-Brian Gionta
Nicolas Deslauriers-Tim Schaller-Cody Hodgson
Jerry D’Amigo-Matt Ellis-Zac Dalpe

Mike Weber-Zach Bogosian
Andrej Meszaros-Ramsus Ristolainen
Nikita Zadorov-Tyson Strachman

PP1: I honestly don’t know.
PP2: If I don’t know PP1, I won’t know PP2.

PK: Everyone? No one? The Rochester Americans?

Chad Johnson gets the start, I think.

Rangers Lines (unconfirmed)

Rick NashDerick BrassardMats Zuccarello
Chris Kreider
Derek StepanMartin St. Louis
Carl HagelinKevin HayesJ.T. Miller
Tanner GlassDominic MooreJesper Fast

Ryan McDonaghDan Girardi
Marc Staal-Dan Boyle
Keith Yandle-Matt Hunwick

PP1: McDonagh, Yandle, Kreider, Stepan, MSL
PP2: Boyle, Girardi, Nash, Brassard, Zuccarello

PK: Stepan, Nash, Girardi, Staal, Moore, Fast, Hunwick, Boyle, Hagelin, Klein, McDonagh, MSL

Makenzie Spapski is in net.

Scratches/Injuries: Henrik Lundqvist (throat), Kevin Klein (arm), James Sheppard (healthy)

Crazy Prediction: Skapski gets a shutout.

Be sure to check out our ticket link if you’re looking for tickets to the game. Game time is 7pm on MSG.

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