RANGERS HOST SABRES AT MSG
New York Rangers (23-17-5) vs Buffalo Sabres (11-24-9)
TONIGHT 7:30 PM, TV: NBCSN RADIO: WEPN 98.7 FM
Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
The Rangers and Sabres meet for the second of three games this season tonight at Madison Square Garden before the Rangers head on a four game west coast road trip to California on Saturday.
In the first meeting the Rangers defeated Buffalo 3-2 in overtime in the NHL’s Annual Winter Classic on New Years Day. Paul Carey, Michael Grabner and J.T. Miller tallied the Rangers goals in the contest while Henrik Lundqvist stopped 33 of 35 shots on goal at Citi Field.
Coming off a 5-1 win on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers the Rangers once again have been bitten by the injury bug having lost defenseman Marc Staal on a day to day basis to a hip flexor injury. The Rangers will be without Staal tonight against Buffalo who started his rehab yesterday along with center Kevin Hayes who is said to be “coming along” suffering from lower body contusions suffered in last Saturday’s loss to the Islanders. Hayes will miss his 3rd straight game.
With Staal out defenseman Steven Kampfer will re-enter the lineup and likely be paired with Brendan Smith of the 3rd pairing while Ryan McDonagh and Nick Holden remain the top pairing and Brady Skjei should once again be paired with Kevin Shattenkirk on the second.
Henrik Lundqvist who picked up his 20th win of the season on Tuesday is the obvious nod between the twine tonight against Buffalo.
The Sabres who return from their bye week tonight have lost four of their last five games only winning in their last game before the break 3-1 over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Robin Lehner will likely return to the net after getting pulled from a 7-4 loss to Winnipeg on January 9th when he allowed three goals on 17 shots.
TEAM LEADERS
Rangers
POINTS: Mats Zuccarello 32
GOALS: Michael Grabner 20
ASSISTS: Mats Zuccarello 24
Sabres
POINTS: Jack Eichel 41
GOALS: Jack Eichel 18
ASSISTS: Jack Eichel 23
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