rangers sabres

AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

The Rangers haven’t lost back-to-back games since December, but just went on a rough 1-2-0 stretch against the three other playoff Metro teams. Luckily they are in Buffalo tonight to take on the lowly Sabres and their significant lack of depth. Don’t get me wrong, the Sabres have oodles of talent, but aren’t deep enough to contend yet.

As for the Rangers, they are without Rick Nash, Henrik Lundqvist, Marc Staal, and Dylan McIlrath tonight. Brady Skjei was recalled, joining Magnus Hellberg as the emergency recalls. Skjei should get some significant minutes tonight, or he might make a mistake and get benched for accountability reasons. Who knows.

Sabres Systems

Dan Bylsma is in his first year as Sabres coach and runs an aggressive 2-1-2 forecheck in the offensive zone. encouraging puck pursuit in most situations.  In the defensive zone, he uses a zone defense, taking out lanes and protecting the slot. On special teams, it’s a 1-3-1 power play and  a diamond force penalty kill.

Sabres Lines

Evander Kane-Jack Eichel-Sam Reinhart
Marcus Foligno-Johan Larsson-Brian Gionta
Zemgus Girgensons-Cal O’Reilly-Nicolas Deslauries
Daniel Catenacci-David Legwand-Matt Moulson

Josh Gorges-Rasmus Ristolainen
Jake McCabe-Zach Bogosian
Carlo Colaiacovo-Mark Pysyk

PP1: Larson-Eichel-Reinhart-O’Reilly-Ristolainen
PP2: Moulson-Gionta-Kane-Bogosian-Pysyk

PK: Legwand, O’Reilly, Gionta, Kane, Girgensons, Gorges, Ristolainen, McCabe, Bogosian

Robin Lehner gets the start.

Rangers Lines

Chris KreiderDerek StepanMats Zuccarello
JT MillerDerick BrassardJesper Fast
Viktor StalbergEric StaalKevin Hayes
Oscar LindbergDominic MooreTanner Glass

Ryan McDonaghDan Girardi
Keith YandleKevin Klein
Brady Skjei-Dan Boyle

PP1: Yandle-Klein-Miller-Hayes-Fast
PP2: Zucc-Boyle-Kreider-Stepan-Brassard

PK: Stepan, Moore, Lindberg, Fast, Glass, McDonagh, Staal, Klein, Girardi

Antti Raanta gets the start.

Scratches/Injuries: Rick Nash (leg), Marc Staal (back), Dylan McIlrath (knee), Henrik Lundqvist (neck)

Crazy Prediction: A game where we don’t want to pull our hair out.

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

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