The Buffalo Sabres are set to take on the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden in hopes of continuing their positive momentum after a recent victory over the Ottawa Senators. The Sabres are looking to even out their season points percentage through 14 games with a win tonight.
In their lineup, the Sabres will maintain the same roster as their last game against Ottawa, with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in goal. Luukkonen has shown a strong performance against the Rangers in the past, boasting a .924 save percentage in five career starts against them.
The Sabres will aim to replicate the qualities of their previous game against the Senators, where they excelled in scoring first, power play success, penalty kill effectiveness, and solid goaltending from Luukkonen. Forward Tage Thompson highlighted the team’s commitment to pace and defense in that game, emphasizing the importance of playing with speed and maintaining pressure on the opponent.
Coach Lindy Ruff has emphasized a four-line approach, with all 12 forwards seeing significant ice time in the last game. This strategy has led to increased energy and involvement from the players, resulting in improved team performance.
As they prepare to face the Rangers, the Sabres are aware of the challenges posed by New York’s strong goaltending with Igor Shesterkin leading the way. The Rangers also boast impressive special teams units, with a penalty kill ranked second in the NHL and a power play ranked sixth. Forward Artemi Panarin leads the Rangers in goals and points, adding to their offensive threat.
In terms of game notes, the Sabres have seen success on the power play recently, with a 29.4% success rate in their last five games. Jason Zucker has been a standout player for the Sabres, with 10 points in the last 10 games, including a strong performance in the win over the Senators. On the Rangers side, Chris Kreider has been a force on the penalty kill, leading the NHL in shorthanded goals since the start of the 2021-22 season.
Overall, the Sabres are looking to capitalize on their recent victory and carry that momentum into the game against the Rangers. With a focus on consistent play, strong goaltending, and effective special teams, the Sabres will aim to secure another important win on the road.