Gameday Preview – Buffalo Sabres at New York Rangers
Apr 10, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers left wing
Carl Hagelin(62) keeps the puck from Buffalo Sabres right wing
Chris Stewart(80) during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Madison Square Garden
A Tale of Two Trends
These two teams may share the same state but they certainly don’t share the same team outlook. The Rangers are 9-1-0 in their last 10 games and are playing confident hockey. Over that span of 10 games, the Rangers have been leading 377: 26 of the time, a commanding 62% of the total minutes played. That, in turn, speaks volumes to the way the team has been able to establish themselves on defense. The Rangers are 2nd in the league for shots against with 981 and 9th in the league for GAA with 2.43. More often than not the Rangers have been able to hold their opponents to 2 or fewer goals, and when doing so, the team is 16-0-1. They’ve been taking care of business at home, posting a 12-3-3 record at the “World’s Most Famous Arena” since October 16th against the Carolina Hurricanes. On the other side of the spectrum, things aren’t so optimistic in western New York. The Sabres own a lowly 31 points and are last in the Atlantic division. Only the Hurricanes (26) and the Edmonton Oilers (25) have a lower point total. They’re a team that is challenged in both the offensive and defensive zones – they are 29th in the league for GAA with 3.31 and 30th in the league for goals per game with 1.80. The Rangers must be wary, however, to not play down to their competition, something they’ve been guilty of doing for years. The Sabres still have some explosive offensive weapons in Zemgus Girgensons, Tyler Ennis, Matt Moulson, and Drew Stafford. They were blanked by the Florida Panthers yesterday at home by a score of 2-0, so it’s important for the Rangers to jump on the Sabres early and force their tired legs to skate and defend.
History
You would assume the Rangers and Sabres would have a rivalry of sorts, considering they’re both from New York. However, animosity is by in large non-existent between the two clubs as of late. Things were more heated during the 2003-2007 era when the Sabres were competitive with the likes of Ryan Miller, Daniel Briere, Jason Pominville, Thomas Vanek, Chris Drury and Derek Roy. All of which are past their prime (with the exception of Miller and perhaps Vanek) and have since been moved from the team, making Buffalo a shell of what they once were. After sweeping the Atlanta Thrashers in the first round of the 2006-2007 playoffs, the Rangers fell to the #1 seeded Sabres 4-2 in the Conference Semifinals. On a side note, the Rangers have a 65-73-25 all-time record against Buffalo. Last season, the Rangers won all four meetings versus the Sabres and tonight marks the first of three contests between the two teams this season. Last season Mats Zuccarello led all skaters with four points in those four games.
Players to Watch
Tyler Ennis, Buffalo Sabres. Ennis has been turning heads this year, leading his team in points (24) and in assists (15). He is only behind Girgensons for the team lead in goals with nine. Ennis is featured on the Sabres’ power play, with 4 PP goals to his name. Tyler is able to create offense for himself with his speed and finesse, which leads itself to yet another category he leads his team in, shots on goal, with 94. His unique skill set and capabilities as a hockey player were showcased on November 28th against the Montreal Canadiens, where he beat Carey Price with a phenomenal twisting backhand, a goal of the year candidate.
Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers. One would have thought Cam Talbot would have got the start tonight against the dismal Sabres, but Alain Vigneault thought otherwise. Lundqvist has posted an impressive 7-3-0 record, along with a 1.77 GAA, a .935 SV%, and 2 SO in his last 10 appearances against Buffalo. “The King” has been instrumental in the Rangers’ success as of late, and he’ll look to continue his stellar play tonight. Don’t look now but he’s only four wins behind Harry Lumley for the 21st spot for all-time wins as a goaltender.