Sabres at Rangers
THE STORY: The Buffalo Sabres have collected points in 15 of
their last 17 games (11-2-4) to make a spirited charge toward a
potential playoff berth. Although they sit one point out of the eighth
seed, the Sabres may be encountering a potential Eastern Conference
quarterfinal preview Friday when they visit the New York Rangers. Coach
John Tortorella's club has won all three meetings with Buffalo this
season.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG
ABOUT THE SABRES (35-29-10): Cody Hodgson made his presence felt
Wednesday as he netted his first two goals since being acquired from the
Vancouver Canucks at the NHL's trade deadline. Ryan Miller turned aside
all 34 shots in a 3-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Miller, who
is 11-1-4 in his last 16 games, has yielded only three goals in two
contests versus the Rangers this season. The former Vezina Trophy winner
was credited with one of his six shutouts in a 1-0 shootout loss to New
York on Feb. 1.
ABOUT THE RANGERS (46-20-7): Captain Ryan Callahan gave himself
quite the birthday gift Wednesday when he netted the overtime winner in a
2-1 triumph over the Detroit Red Wings. The 27-year-old Callahan
collected his 27th goal - and 10th in his last 16 games. Callahan has
tallied twice in three games this season versus Buffalo. Brad Richards
continued his sizzling play by scoring on a beautiful end-to-end rush
Wednesday. Richards has six goals and six assists in his last eight
contests.
OVERTIME:
1. New York has won two in a row, but has seen its
lead shrink to one in the Atlantic Division and conference as Pittsburgh
continues its late-season surge.
2. Jason Pominville has three
goals and an assist during his three-game point streak. The Buffalo
captain, though, has only one assist in three contests versus the
Rangers this season.
3. All-Star Henrik Lundqvist was brilliant
in stopping 34 shots in a 1-0 shootout win over the Sabres on Feb. 1. He
followed that up by making 18 saves in a 3-2 win against Buffalo on
Feb. 25.