AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
After a roller coaster win against Carolina on Tuesday, the Rangers are looking to build on their strong third period against Buffalo. The Rangers erased a two goal lead and got off the schneid, so building some momentum will help get them moving in the right direction. The Sabres are the perfect team to do that against, as their defense is pretty bad. Might actually be worse than the Rangers.
But that’s why they play the games. The Sabres may be bad on defense and questionable in net, but they are skilled and deep at forward. They can easily exploit the Rangers defense as easily as the Rangers can exploit theirs. Banking points is important for the Rangers, but getting back to proper process –note: not banking the puck off the glass every single time they clear the defensive zone– is perhaps more important.
Sabres Systems
Dan Bylsma is in his second 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
William Carrier-Ryan O’Reilly-Kyle Okposo
Evander Kane-Jack Eichel-Sam Reinhart
Marcus Foligno-Johan Larsson-Brian Gionta
Zemgus Girgensons-Derek Grant-Matt Moulson
Josh Gorges-Rasmus Ristolainen
Jake McCabe-Cody Franson
Justin Falk-Taylor Fedun
PP1: Reinhart-O’Reilly-Okposo-Eichel-Ristolainen
PP2: Moulson-Gionta-Kane-Fedun-Franson
Anders Nilsson gets the start.
Rangers Lines:
Mats Zuccarello–J.T. Miller–Rick Nash
Chris Kreider–Derek Stepan–Jesper Fast
Michael Grabner–Kevin Hayes–Brandon Pirri
Matt Puempel–Oscar Lindberg–Jimmy Vesey
Ryan McDonagh–Dan Girardi
Marc Staal–Nick Holden
Brady Skjei-Adam Clendening
PP1: Kreider-Stepan-Pirri-Zucc-McDonagh
PP2: Nash-Vesey-Hayes-Skjei-Clendening
Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.
Injuries/Scratches: Mika Zibanejad (leg), Pavel Buchnevich (upper body), Josh Jooris (heathy), Kevin Klein (healthy)
Crazy Prediction: Two goals by defensemen.
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