Blue Line Station
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Rangers vs. Sabres: Are we desperate yet?

By Steve Paulus

BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 26: Matt Irwin #44 of the Buffalo Sabres checks Pavel Buchnevich #89 of the New York Rangers during the first period at KeyBank Center on January 26 , 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 26: Matt Irwin #44 of the Buffalo Sabres checks Pavel Buchnevich #89 of the New York Rangers during the first period at KeyBank Center on January 26 , 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images) /
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BUFFALO, NY – JANUARY 26: Rasmus Ristolainen #55 of the Buffalo Sabres playing in his 500th NHL game checks Ryan Lindgren #55 of the New York Rangers off the puck during the third period at KeyBank Center on January 26 , 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – JANUARY 26: Rasmus Ristolainen #55 of the Buffalo Sabres playing in his 500th NHL game checks Ryan Lindgren #55 of the New York Rangers off the puck during the third period at KeyBank Center on January 26 , 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images) /

Three keys to winning

The Rangers need an infusion of confidence and a win will provide it. If they can accomplish any of the three keys to winning, it will provide a confidence boost they sorely need.

  1. Get ahead early, then hold the lead.  The Sabres have been outscored 6-4 in the first period, but have outscored the opposition 16-14 in the last two periods.  Scoring late would help. The Blueshirts have scored only two third period goals all season. That needs to get better.
  2. Win the special teams battle. There were 0-3 on special teams on Tuesday. The Sabres are not great on the penalty kill and the Rangers need to take advantage of that.  The Rangers had a six on four for over 90 seconds at the end of Tuesday’s game and couldn’t convert.  This also means staying out of the box against the potent Buffalo power play.
  3. Shesterkin needs to steal a game.  With average play from their goalies over the first six games, the Rangers needs a stellar performance from a netminder and it should be Shesterkin who provides it. He has been only ordinary so far this season and it’s time for him to turn it on.

East Division

There were no East Division games last night.  All eight teams will be in action tonight.

The standings

1-  Washington       7 GP     4-0-3   11 pts.
2-  Boston                6 GP     4-1-1      9 pts.
3 – Philadelphia      7 GP     4-2-1      9 pts.
—Pittsburgh            7 GP     4-2-1      9 pts.
5-  New Jersey         6 GP      3-2-1      7 pts.
6-  Buffalo                7  GP     3-3-1      7 pts.
7-  Islanders             6  GP     3-3-0      6 pts.
8-  Rangers              6 GP       1-4-1      3 pts.

About the game

Puck drop  is 7pm.  The game will be televised on the MSG Network and the radio call will be on ESPN 98.7 FM.  Unlike the last two games, there is no Knicks game that will result in leapfrogging channels for the game and post game shows.

Be sure and join Blue Line Station’s live conversation during the game.  The live thread will be open just before gametime and you can share your thoughts about the team and the game with other Blueshirts faithful.

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