Rangers vs. Sabres preview: A game they really need to win

Two days after being taught a lesson by the Boston Bruins, the New York Rangers take on the Buffalo Sabres, mired in last place in the East Division and losers of seven of their last nine games.  The Sabres are coming off two straight shutouts at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers. It’s a game the Blueshirts should win against a vulnerable opponent, but when it comes to team inconsistency,  it’s anyone’s guess as to which Ranger team will take the ice tonight.

As badly as the Rangers need the win tonight, the Sabres need it even more. Several Buffalo players called their last 3-0 loss to the Flyers “an embarrassment” so they should come out firing on all cylinders.  How will the Rangers respond?  Again, who knows?

The Rangers will get a boost from the return of Filip Chytil to the lineup. Tony Bitetto is out with an injury and the Artemi Panarin situation is still a mystery.  Kaapo Kakko remains on the COVID list though he is ready to come off and needs to get into game shape.   David Quinn did say that Jacob Trouba is making good progress and they expect him back sooner than later.

The good news is that the Rangers are getting healthy at the time in the schedule when they are about to play a lot of games.  The last piece of the puzzle is Artemi Panarin.  Quinn said that he speaks with him daily and he has done some skating, but there is no word on when he will return to the team.