New York Rangers look to keep the fun going vs Buffalo
After an exciting — and unexpected — 5-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, the New York Rangers host the Buffalo Sabres in their 51st game of the regular season.
Shocking is a great word to describe it. The New York Rangers, who sit seventh in the Metropolitan Division, managed a 5-3 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs on home ice in their last contest, beating a team that most would have bet against them on.
You can mainly thank Igor Shesterkin‘s 30 saves for that.
“He’s not a 20-year-old guy out of college or junior hockey,” head coach David Quinn said after the win. “He’s proven to be a great pro over in the American (Hockey) League, and he’s just been a great pro for us.”
The Rangers will now look to Henrik Lundqvist, as he is expected to face Carter Hutton and the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden on Friday night.
At home, the Rangers are 15-11-2 this season. while Buffalo is 8-14-4 when away from the KeyBank Center.
About the Sabres
Buffalo comes to MSG riding a two-game losing streak, posting a 23-23-8 record and sitting sixth in the Atlantic Division. In their last contest, they fell to the NHL-worst Detroit Red Wings, 4-3, in a shootout on Thursday night. Their fans are near rebellion as they have lost five out of their last six games.
There is no doubt who has powered Buffalo this season, and it’s captain Jack Eichel. The second-overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft has posted 31 goals and 35 assists (66 points) for the Sabres through their first 54 games of 2019-20.
Sam Reinhart (19-25—44) and Rasmus Dahlin (3-27—30) have also played big offensive roles for the Sabres this season.
Buffalo is averaging 2.83 goals per-game on 29.2 shots per-game. They have lost seven of their last ten (3-5-2) contests vs. the Rangers.
About the Rangers
The Rangers are averaging 3.29 goals per-game on 30.6 shots per-game. They are 7-3-0 in their last ten contests vs. the Sabres.
Alexandar Georgiev, who was expected to the start against Toronto, will be between the pipes tonight. In his last appearance, he came in to relieve Henrik Lundqvist in the third period of a 5-3 loss, allowing one goal on six shots. It will be his first start in 17 days due to the long break for the Rangers in January.
The usual scoring suspects of Mika Zibanejad (21-24—45), Ryan Strome (12-32-44), and Anthony DeAngelo (12-29—49) have lifted the Rangers this season as well. But as per usual, Artemi Panarin has been lights out on Broadway, posting one goal and two assists (three points) in his last five contests.
On the season, Panarin has totaled 27 goals and 44 assists (71 points).
Three ways to win
- Kill, Kill, Kill: New York has to stay ready to kill off any penalties, especially when facing the NHL’s 11th-worst power play unit.
- Come out swinging early: Buffalo trailed 2-0 after the first and second periods of their loss to Detroit on Thursday, as Dylan Larkin scored both goals, with the second goal coming with one second remaining in the first period.
- Just shoot: Although the typical Ranger fan may be frustrated with the excess of passing (especially on the power play), the Blueshirts are fifth in the NHL with a 10.7 shooting percentage. Buffalo is 15th-best at 9.7 percent.
Game Information
Puck drop for Friday’s game is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be televised on MSG. The MSG Radio Network broadcast will be on ESPN 98.7 FM.
Join in the live conversation on Blue Line Station during the game and share your thoughts with fellow Rangers fans. The live thread should be up about a half hour before game time.
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