Sabres Rangers Preview

The 2-0 and almost centerless Sabres are heading to MSG to take on the fast starting Rangers and Captain Clutch, Chris Drury. Who only has 1 point in 5 games this year, but of course he's paid the big bucks for "intangibles". Its a early season test against one of the better teams in the East, that really doesn't mean much come 2 months or 5 months from now. But its better then watching a debate or wait no Pushing Daisies will be more entertaining then the Rangers. Who are horrendous team to watch. No fun and the game is slow. But they have Dmitri Kalinin who might go hide in the corner when Lindy Ruff looks at him. SAVE ME COACH RENNEY! Lindy is mean!

The Rangers

One of the hottest teams in the league with a 5-0 start. But the guys with the most points, you would probably not pick. Brandan Dubinsky and Aaron Voros. Dubinsky is one of the great young players in the league and Voros is a guy who wasn't even up full time with the Wild last year. Right now one of the better offseason acquistions that no one paid attention to. Then the lineup fills out with a roster of decent players that seem to languish on other teams. Like Zherdev, Naslund and Redden. Well Redden didn't languish, he just took a beating in the Ottawa Press. The blue line isn't what I call great, but Marc Staal is a nice young talent. Dan Girardi is better then most think and Kalinin is Kalinin. Plus Paul Mara and Rozsival who are both good in their end.

The big names on the Rangers though are Gomez and Drury, there two big acquistions in the 07 offseason. The team is going to be built around them. Thats why acquiring a Markus Naslund can only help. Redden I feel is on the downside of his career and will break down later in the year. But its their team and they will go as far as these two inspire them to go.

But the lynchpin on the Rangers true success lies in net with King Henrik. His numbers once again are fantastic. Its 4 games so its a good sample size. A 1.25 GAA and a .949 sv %. The Rangers are very tight on defense and then have a quality goalie like Lundqvist will only lead to success and very low scoring games. It seems they want to copy the Devils. Which is unfortunate to all hockey fans. Especially ones in New York. Jagr at least did what he wanted and that was exciting at times. Drury is rarely flashy, but gets the job done, the same with Gomez.

Sabres.

The Sabres on the other hand have Clarke MacArthur centering the 2nd line. Which isn't the ideal situation. Matt Ellis gets some game time to be on a banging line with Kaleta and Peters. Who couldn't buy a fight right now. The center position which was a strenght has caught the injury bug. Anymore and will see Gerbe up here sooner then later. The Sabres are also 2-0 and we'll see Ryan Miller who played well last Friday how he does tonight. The Sabres have all the excuses, but their coach won't let them take it.

Outlook

A good close game, that will also be boring because its the Rangers.

Sabres Rangers Preview

Here we go an afternoon delight at MSG. The Sabres take on former friend Chris Drury and the NY Rangers. I personally like the afternoon games, they have a certain feel to them. And always best viewed from a Bar. The sunlight, the darkness, beer and hockey. Its all pretty fitting in my mind. But this is an imporant game when figuring in the playoff scene. The Sabres sit at 7th and the Rangers 9th. But one game can switch it in a heartbeat. Plus you got Lundqvist and Miller the dual from last years second round, which was quite good. And by good I mean the Rangers put 5 guys within 10 feet of the net. Thats exciting hockey. Well this is a regular season showdown and the Rangers are playing similar hockey. Scoring 144 goals in 59 games. So they are back to their high scoring ways. Though the Rangers have been hot of late going 6-3-1 in their last 10. Though Henrik Lundqvist hasn't won a game since February 3rd. Maybe the contract was in the way. But I'm looking to see a good matchup here. With two decently rested teams. Since the Rangers will be coming in, having played their last game on Sunday. Good job schedule makers.

Who does what.

Well we know the Rangers start with #68, the success or failure of the team is dependent on his mood and action. But one could say Jagr is having a disappointing season up to this point with only 47 points and 15 goals. Scott Gomez is leading the team in points with 55 and Chris Drury is third with 40 points, and leads in goals with 18. The team does have talent though the stats are far from impressive. Players like Shanahan, Rozsival, Stracha and Prucha can hurt you. Plus they have 2 emerging talents in Dubinsky and Dawes. But this team is based on defense and goaltending. And it starts with King Henrik and his new deal. The Rangers were smart to lock him up long term, hes a star. Though his numbers of late are far from impressive so who knows who we'll see in net on saturday, but my guess its Henrik.

What do I foresee?

Well this will be a tight game, they always are between the Rangers and Sabres and I'm thinking the Sabres don't want to lose to Drury and the Rangers again. But you never know they might come out flat. But things are clicking these days and they don't have one of those long breaks to loosen it. Like Christmas derailed the last winning streak. Well I expect good things today. Not exciting things today, because the Rangers are boring.

Sabres Rangers Preview

The Sabres head into MSG to ward off the Double digit winless streak against the also slumping NY Rangers. Who spent money and are losing. Mmm money doesn't always buy success? Mmm you'd think another NY team would influence the Rangers. Its always about talent and chemistry. You can have the best food ingredients in the world but if they don't mix well, you got a crappy dish. Well anyway its a battle of teams wanting to get back on track, the Rangers are 3 points ahead of the Sabres, but have played 3 more games.

Whats going on in NY?

Well things aren't going thats the problem with the Rangers. They are last in the Atlantic and tenth the conference and have only won 1 game since the beginning of the new year. They have some goal scoring issues and some defensive woes and if it weren't for Lundqvist they'd probably be even worse. This team is paid a lot and not playing up to that standard, especially with the talent and veteran leadership the Rangers have. The team probably needs a major shakeup and that shakeup is the exodus of one Jaromir Jagr.

Who does what?

Well Scott Gomez is trying to justify his contract by leading the team in points with 42, mostly in assists though with 32. Jagr is always dangerous or the potential to be dangerous and he comes in second with 40 points. And Chris Drury is in third with 31 points but only 12 goals, plus hes a -12 on the year, so hes against the best lines and not shutting them down. And Brendan Shanahan is right behind with 30 points, and the leading goal scorer with 15 goals on the year. But the man is the Goalie, King Henrik. His numbers have fallen a bit lately, but still a marvelous 2.39 GAA and a decent .906 Sv%. Martin Straka is also another one to look out for.

Outlook

Well who knows where this is going, you'd expect the Sabres to show something, but can't put the puck in to save their lives, and going again Lundqvist doesn't help things. But they have had a couple days off, and maybe the Brian Campbell thing got their minds off the winless streak. Mmm a distraction from on ice performance, for a contract issue. Thats a interesting tactic Brian. Well I probably won't see this one, yeah I know too bad.