New York Rangers play host to the Buffalo Sabres
The first game of Tuesday will be hosted by the New York Rangers at the Madison Square Garden as they play host to the Buffalo Sabres. This will be the third out of the four scheduled meetings due to take place between the two sides. This will also be their
first meeting during the year 2011.
Out of the two meetings that have already taken place during the course of the season, the Rangers have won both. They won the first one comfortably 6-3 while it was a close battle in the second which saw the Rangers winning the game 3-2 after overtime.
Artem Anisimov was the star of the game for the Rangers in their last game as the netted two goals and will be looked upon once again as both teams square off against each other. The Rangers have seen a lot of effort put in by their goal keeper, Henrik Lundqvist
during the recent times as they look to cement their position in the play-off spot in the Eastern Conference. Martin Biron, the second choice goalie of the Rangers is out injured and with this comes another 60 minutes of duty for Lundqvist.
Biron injured himself during training this Monday which would put a lot of pressure and responsibilities on the Lundqvist. However, the Rangers have some positives as well ahead of the game as they have added John Mitchell from the Toronto Maple Leafs and
Bryan McCabe will be playing his second game after moving from the Florida Panthers.
"I was nervous, for sure, and pretty excited, too," McCabe said after his debut, a 2-1 loss to the Lightning on Sunday. "I had some butterflies before the game, but it will get better as it goes on. I will feel better the more comfortable I get with the
guys, and it all will be good."
The Rangers have played 64 games during the season so far out which they have won 33 games in regulation time, four games in overtime to score a total of 70 point. On the other hand, the Sabres have played 61 games during the season out of which they have
won 29 games in regulation time, seven games in overtime to score a total of 65 points.
The Sabres are trailing the eighth and final play-off position by just two points and from have the most games remaining to play than any other team. They have 21 games left to play which is more than any other in the Eastern Conference by a difference of
three games.
However, their last game was very disappointing as they lost against the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 after shootout. Brad Boyes, the new addition to the squad from the St. Louis Blues couldn’t start off with a win.
"He's a great guy, great teammate, heck of a hockey player, and I think he's a great addition to the team," forward Tim Connolly said. "He's got a great release with his snap shot and his slap shot. He's a real smart player and it will be my job, if I'm
playing with him, to try and get him the puck in scoring areas."
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