Rangers at Sabres
THE STORY: The Buffalo Sabres have a ways to go to get back into the playoff race, but they are on a winning streak for the first time since Nov. 11. The Sabres, who defeated the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, will go for their third straight victory on Wednesday when the New York Rangers pay a visit. Buffalo, which is nine points out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference, might have its best chance to make up some ground with nine of the next 11 contests on home ice. The Rangers used Martin Biron in net Tuesday in the shootout loss at New Jersey, thus freeing All-Star Henrik Lundqvist to be between the pipes against the Sabres. New York post a 4-1 win at Buffalo on Dec. 10 in the only meeting this season.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET; NBC Sports Network, TSN2.
ABOUT THE RANGERS (31-12-5): The Eastern Conference-leading Rangers were a bit unlucky in the final minute of regulation Tuesday. A strange bounce set up David Clarkson’s tying goal and New York went on to lose in a shootout. All-Star Game MVP Marian Gaborik had two assists to push his team-leading total to 41 points. One big concern for the Rangers is their power play. New York has converted just four of 55 opportunities in the last 21 games, plummeting near the bottom of the league. Big-ticket free agent Brad Richards has struggled of late with just two points in his last nine games.
ABOUT THE SABRES (21-24-5): Buffalo received even more good news Tuesday when Tyler Ennis and Paul Gaustad returned from injuries. Gaustad, who missed three games, had a goal and an assist in the victory at Montreal. The speedy Ennis, who has been out since Dec. 17 with an ankle injury, played more than 18 minutes. Second-leading scorer Thomas Vanek did leave Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury and is questionable for the Rangers’ contest. Captain Jason Pominville has 47 points – 19 on the power play.
OVERTIME
1. Lundqvist is 8-8-2 in his career against Buffalo.
2. Buffalo has killed off just seven of 13 power plays in the last five games.
3. The Rangers have allowed 23 goals the last 13 games.