By Rick Carpiniello on March 8, 2016 Hockey, New York Rangers, NHL, Pre-game notes, Preview, Rangers Report
ICYMI: Both Marc Staal (back spams) and Dylan McIlrath (knee), along with goalie Henrik Lundqvist (neck spasms) are out for tonight’s game in Buffalo. Defenseman Brady Skjei was recalled from Hartford and will play tonight. Lundqvist hopes to return by Saturday in Detroit. Rick Nash (bone bruise) continues to make progress and hopes to practice this week. Oh, and J.T. Miller, benched for almost the entire third period Sunday, practiced on the fourth line yesterday.
Pre-game notes courtesy of the NYR:
NEW YORK RANGERS at BUFFALO SABRES
Tuesday, Mar. 8, 2016, 7:00 p.m. ET
First Niagara Center – Buffalo, NY
Rangers: 38-22-6 (82 pts)
Sabres: 26-31-9 (61 pts)*
*-prior to Monday’s game in Toronto.
TONIGHT’S GAME
The Rangers play their 67th game of the 2015-16 season tonight, Mar. 8, against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center (7:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG+; Radio: ESPN 1050 AM). The Blueshirts are in second place in the Metropolitan Division. New York has won four of its last six games (4-2-0), six of its last nine games (6-3-0), 11 of its last 16 games (11-4-1), and 14 of its last 21 games (14-6-1). The Rangers have earned at least one point in 21 of their last 31 games (19-10-2), including 20 of their last 29 games (18-9-2) and 19 of their last 27 games (17-8-2). The Blueshirts enter the contest with a 38-22-6 record this season (82 points).
RANGERS VS. SABRES
All-Time: 69-73-25-5 (39-28-15-3 at home; 30-45-10-2 on the road)
2015-16: Tonight’s game is the second of three meetings between the Rangers and Sabres, and the only meeting between the two teams in Buffalo. The Rangers have posted a 1-0-0 record (1-0-0 at home; 0-0-0 on the road) against Buffalo. The Blueshirts defeated the Sabres, 6-3, in the only meeting between the two teams on Jan. 25 at Madison Square Garden. Derick Brassard established a single-game career-high with five points (two goals, three assists) in the contest, and he notched a point on each of the Rangers’ four goals in the third period. Brassard was one of 11 different Blueshirts who recorded a point in the game. Following tonight’s contest, the Rangers and Sabres will play against each other on the following date: Apr. 2 (at MSG).
The Rangers enter the contest with an eight-game winning streak against the Sabres, dating back to Apr. 19, 2013. The eight-game winning streak is the Blueshirts’ longest against Buffalo since the two teams began playing against each other in 1970-71.
The Blueshirts have won each of their last four road games against the Sabres. In addition, New York has won six of its last seven road contests against Buffalo, dating back to Dec. 10, 2011 (6-1-0).
RANGERS-SABRES CONNECTIONS
Jim Schoenfeld played parts of 11 seasons with the Sabres (1972-73 – 1981-82; 1984-85) and he is a member of the Sabres Hall of Fame, as well as the Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.
Dominic Moore skated in 18 games with Buffalo during the 2008-09 season.
Chad Johnson appeared in six games with the Rangers over parts of two seasons (2009-10 – 2010-11).
Ryan McDonagh was coached by Dan Bylsma with Team USA during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Kevin Klein and David Legwand were teammates with the Predators for parts of nine seasons (2005-06 – 2013-14).
J.T. Miller and Jake McCabe helped Team USA win a gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship.
INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. SABRES
Antti Raanta – Raanta has not played a game against Buffalo in his career.
Eric Staal – 41 GP, 15-26-41 – Staal has recorded a point in each of his last nine games against Buffalo (six goals, eight assists) and he has registered 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in his last 11 contests against the Sabres.
Derick Brassard – 14 GP, 5-10-15 – Brassard has notched a point in six of his last seven games against the Sabres (four goals, eight assists), and he has recorded nine points (three goals, six assists) in his last four games against Buffalo.
Mats Zuccarello – 10 GP, 3-5-8 – Zuccarello has recorded a point in seven of his last eight games against Buffalo (three goals, five assists).
BOUNCE BACK
The Rangers have earned 10 straight wins in the game immediately following a regulation loss (as well as 12 straight wins in the game immediately following either a regulation loss or an overtime loss), dating back to Dec. 22, 2015 vs. Anaheim. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Blueshirts’ 10-game winning streak in contests immediately following a regulation loss is the longest within one season in franchise history. The Rangers have not lost two consecutive games (regulation and overtime losses included) since Dec. 17 – Dec. 20, 2015 (three consecutive games).
WINNING WAYS
The Rangers are tied for third in the NHL in wins (15) and are tied for fourth in the NHL in points (31) since Jan. 16 (15-7-1 record in their last 23 games).
ROAD WARRIORS
The Blueshirts lead the NHL with 68 road wins since the start of the 2013-14 season. The Rangers’ 68 road wins over the last three seasons are tied for the most over a three-season span in franchise history (New York also recorded 68 road wins from 2009-10 – 2011-12). The Blueshirts have won six of their last eight road games (6-2-0), including three of their last four road contests (3-1-0).
HIGH FIVE
The Rangers have posted a plus-35 goal differential at 5-on-5 this season (132 goals for; 97 goals against). The Blueshirts rank second in the NHL in goal differential at 5-on-5 in 2015-16 (Washington leads the NHL; plus-37).
GOALS GALORE
The Blueshirts have tallied three or more goals (including team goals awarded for a shootout win) in 40 of 66 games this season and have registered at least four goals in 23 contests. New York is tied for third in the NHL in games with three or more goals in 2015-16 (Dallas – 46; Washington – 43; Ottawa – 40).
TWO GOOD
The Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in 11 of the last 16 games, in 18 of the last 31 games, and in 38 games this season. New York has posted a 33-3-2 record when allowing two goals or fewer in 2015-16.
THIRD PERIOD IS THE CHARM
The Rangers have tallied at least one goal in the third period in 15 of their last 18 games, including two or more goals in the third period in eight of those contests (25 third period goals over the span). New York ranks third in the NHL in third period goals this season (76).
ON POINT
At least one Rangers defenseman has registered a point on 14 of the team’s last 18 goals. Blueshirts defensemen have recorded 133 points (31 goals, 102 assists) in 2015-16 and have tallied 76 points (19 goals, 57 assists) in the last 37 games.
STEP-AN UP
Derek Stepan has recorded the game-winning goal in four of the last 11 games, including two of the last four contests. In addition, he has registered the game-winning goal in each of the Rangers’ last two wins and in four of the team’s last seven wins. Stepan has tallied 12 points (six goals, six assists) in the last 13 games, as well as 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists) in the last 30 contests. The Rangers have posted a 35-17-4 record in games which Stepan has played this season, including a 22-3-2 record in games which he has notched a point in 2015-16. He is one of two NHL centers who have recorded at least 15 goals and 55 takeaways this season (along with Patrice Bergeron).
CAPTAIN MAC
Ryan McDonagh is the only NHL defenseman who has recorded at least 30 points and a plus-17 rating in 2015-16. The Rangers captain has tallied 30 or more points in each of the last three seasons (2013-14 – 2015-16) and in four of six seasons in his NHL career. McDonagh has registered a point in four of the last five games (one goal, four assists) and has tallied 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in his last 20 contests.
TOO HOT TO YANDLE
Keith Yandle is the first Rangers defenseman to register at least 30 assists and 20 even strength assists in one season since Brian Leetch in 2000-01. He is one of five NHL defensemen who have tallied at least 30 assists, 20 even strength assists, and 12 power play assists this season (along with Erik Karlsson, John Klingberg, P.K. Subban, and Ryan Suter). Yandle has registered a point in 35 of 66 games in 2015-16, and he leads the Rangers in games with a point this season. In addition, he leads Blueshirts defensemen in points (37) in 2015-16. Yandle has notched a point in 14 of the last 21 games (three goals, 11 assists), including nine of the last 13 games (one goal, eight assists).
STAAL ABOARD
Eric Staal tallied his first goal, assist, and point as a Ranger as part of a two-point effort on Mar. 6 vs. NY Islanders. Staal also won 20 of 22 faceoffs (90.9%) in the contest against the Islanders. He became the first Ranger to win at least 20 faceoffs and post a faceoff win percentage of 90.0 or better in one game since the NHL began tracking faceoffs in 1997-98.
BOYLE-ING POINT
Dan Boyle registered his 600th career NHL point on Mar. 6 vs. NY Islanders, becoming the 36th defenseman in NHL history to accomplish the feat. Boyle, who has recorded 19 points thus far in 2015-16, was the NHL defenseman who tallied 20 or more points in 14 consecutive seasons prior to the start of this season (2000-01 – 2014-15). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only 19 defensemen in NHL history have notched 20 or more points in at least 15 consecutive seasons.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Power Play:
The Rangers were 1-for-3 (4:31) on Mar. 6 vs. NY Islanders.
The Blueshirts have recorded a PPG in each of the last two games (2-for-5; 40.0%) and in seven of the last 12 games (8-for-27; 29.6%).
Penalty Kill:
The Rangers were 2-for-3 (4:47) on Mar. 6 vs. NY Islanders.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
Viktor Stalberg – 2 games away from 400 in his NHL career
Kevin Klein – 5 assists away from 100 in his NHL career
INJURIES (73 Man-Games Lost to Injury)
Rick Nash (bone bruise; injury suffered on Jan. 22) – day-to-day
Henrik Lundqvist (neck spasms; injury suffered on Mar. 3) – day-to-day
Marc Staal (back spasms) – day-to-day
Dylan McIlrath (knee; injury suffered on Mar. 6) – day-to-day
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Mar. 4 – Recalled Magnus Hellberg from Hartford (AHL) on an emergency basis
THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY
Mar. 7, 1989 – The Rangers acquired Lindy Ruff as part of a trade with the Buffalo Sabres.
Mar. 7, 1998 – Wayne Gretzky registered his 1,000th career NHL goal (regular season and playoffs combined) in a contest against the New Jersey Devils.
Mar. 8, 1995 – Steve Larmer recorded four points (one goal, three assists), including his 1,000th career NHL point, and registered the game-winning goal as the Blueshirts defeated the New Jersey Devils, 6-4, at MSG.
Mar. 8, 2007 – The Rangers complete a home-and-home sweep of the New York Islanders by earning a 2-1 win at Nassau Coliseum. Petr Prucha tallied the game-winning goal on the power play in the third period.
W2W4: Rangers vs. Sabres 3.8.16
Who: New York Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres
Where: First Niagara Center
When: Tuesday night at 7:00 PM
Watch: MSG-Plus beginning at 6:30 PM
Listen: ESPN-1050 AM and NewYorkRangers.com
*********************************
The Skinny:
Tuesday night in Buffalo the Rangers (38-22-6, 82 pts) will seek to strengthen their grip on second place in the Metropolitan Division when they face off with the Sabres () at First Niagara Center. Of course to do that they will need to play a far better all-around game as a team than they did in Sunday’s 6-4 home-ice loss to the Islanders—one that cut their lead for second place to three points. With the Islanders, and now the Penguins, too, breathing down their necks the Rangers need consistent performances like the one which was on display in last Friday’s 3-2 road win over the league-leading Capitals. The Rangers have lost two of their last three after winning five of six; and they will be without four players, who are injured, Tuesday night. Most notably Henrik Lundqvist will miss his third straight game due to neck spasms, so Antti Raanta gets the call again between the pipes after allowing three goals in the game’s first 4:45 and five goals overall on 31 shots against the Islanders. Also a pair of defensemen will be out as Marc Staal sits out his second consecutive contest due to back spasms and Dylan McIlrath is sidelined after hurting his knee during the first period on Sunday. With both d-men listed as day to day the Rangers recalled rookie Brady Skjei on an emergency basis from the Hartford Wolf Pack where he has registered 23 points (3-20-23) in 56 games. This is Skjei’s third recall this season and he will be playing in his fourth NHL game with the Rangers. Rick Nash remains out of the Rangers lineup as he recovers from a bone bruise on his leg, but he is getting closer to a return to the lineup. Head coach Alain Vigneault said he is unsure of how his forward line combinations will look against the Sabres, though he did say that the Oscar Lindberg-Eric Staal-Viktor Stalberg trio will absolutely remain together after being New York’s best on Sunday. Staal, in particular, played an impressive 200-foot game, winning battles at both ends of the rink over his 19 minutes of ice time. He also won 20 of 22 face offs and recorded his first goal and assist since being acquired from Carolina four games ago. The Rangers will face a Sabres team that played Monday night in Toronto, rallying from 3-1 down in the third to eventually skate to a 4-3 shootout victory. That win was just Buffalo’s third in the past eight games (3-3-2), though the Sabres are 7-5-5 since the end of January—a good sign for a young team still finding its way under new head coach Dan Bylsma. Young is a key word for the Sabres, Two of their four top scorers are rookies. Jack Eichel, the number two pick in the 2015 draft, leads the Sabres with 20 goals and is second with 45 points. He also ranks second among all NHL rookies in goals and points. Teammate Sam Reinhart has 18 goals and 32 points, and is fourth on the Sabres in scoring and eighth among all rookies in point production. Former Ranger Chad Johnson tended goal on Monday, so the Blueshirts will likely face Robin Lehner in the Buffalo pipes on Tuesday.
Head To Head:
Tuesday’s game in Buffalo is the second of three meetings this season between the Rangers and Sabres and the initial get together at First Niagara Center. The Rangers last two visits to Buffalo are well remembered for Mackenzie Skapski’s first NHL game and victory on February 20, 2015 and Skapski’s first NHL shutout on March 14, 2015—the only two games to date that the young goalie has played up in the National Hockey League. Including those two wins last season the Rangers have won each of their last four visits to Buffalo. Going back to December 10, 2011 the Rangers have lost only once in Buffalo in their last seven games at First Niagara Center. Overall the Rangers have won eight consecutive games against the Sabres dating to April 19, 2013. In the one meeting so far this season the Blueshirts skated to a 6-3 victory over the Sabres at Madison Square Garden on January 25. Derick Brassard established a career high by registering five points (2-3-5) in that game, and 11 different Rangers notched at least one point in the victory. New York held a 3-1 lead early in the third period, but Buffalo’s Zemgus Girgensons threw a scare into the Blueshirts by scoring twice in a span of 1:13 to briefly tie the game. J.T. Miller put the Rangers back on track by scoring one minute after the Sabres had tied the contest. The final meeting between these clubs will take place at MSG on April 2.
Players To Watch:
Rangers-Antti Raanta: With Henrik Lundqvist still sidelined with neck spasms, Antti Raanta gets the opportunity to go right back between the pipes two nights after surrendering five goals in the 6-4 loss to the Islanders. Being the back up to a heavily-used goalie like Lundqvist means that typically Raanta would have to wait a week or maybe more—sometimes much longer—before getting into a game again; so this is a welcome opportunity for Raanta, who had been playing exceptionally well before Sunday’s defeat. Raanta had won his previous three starts and allowed only five goals on 98 shots before Sunday, and clearly he wants to get back on that solid track Tuesday. Raanta is 7-5-2 in 18 appearances this season and has allowed two goals or fewer in six of his seven victories, while surrendering five goals in three of his defeats. He has never faced the Sabres in his NHL career.
Sabres-Evander Kane: Following Saturday’s overtime loss to Minnesota, Sabres forward Evander Kane blamed himself for the defeat then came out early the next day before an optional practice to work on his shot from all different areas of the ice. That dedication paid off Monday when Kane scored the game-tying third-period goal and also added an assist and four penalty minutes in Buffalo’s 4-3 shootout victory over the Maple Leafs. At his best when he plays with a chip on his shoulder, and also while using his speed and size to his advantage, Kane can be an incredible pest and can alter games with his combination of physical play and skilled offensive talents. This year he is second to Jack Eichel on the Sabres with 19 goals and he has also totaled 30 points and 77 penalty minutes. He now has 128 goals, 252 points and 462 penalty minutes in 417 career games with the Winnipeg Jets and Sabres, yet surprisingly he is on the verge of only the second 20-goal season of his career. He scored a career-high 30 with the Jets in 2011-12, though he has now netted 19 goals on three separate occasions. Consistency has been extremely difficult for Kane to achieve throughout his career and it has held him back from being a star player to this point. Yet he is only 24 years old and the Sabres are banking on him being a part of the turnaround this franchise has envisioned in the coming years.
Rangers Vs Sabres March 8th 2016
Mar 8 - 1:29am by JimCerny
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