SB Nation New York - Rangers' Playoff Hopes Beginning To Slip Away With 3-2 Loss Against Sabreshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2011-03-01T21:59:02-05:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/17870682011-03-01T21:59:02-05:002011-03-01T21:59:02-05:00Sabres 3, Rangers 2: Rangers Playoff Hopes Beginning To Slip Away
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<p>The <a href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Rangers</a>' grasp on a playoff spot is officially on life support after Tuesday night's 3-2 loss at home against the <a href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Buffalo Sabres</a>. The Rangers are now below .500 at home, with a 14-15-3 record. Though they're still in ninth place, the Sabres' victory puts them three points behind the Rangers for seventh place -- and Buffalo has three games in hand. The Hurricanes, who also won, are now just a point behind New York for seventh place, and they've played one fewer game.</p>
<p>Overall, the game was very similar to the last loss against the Tampa Bay Lighting -- and frankly, most of their losses over the past few games: play well enough to win but fail to find the back of the net enough times to make that effort feel rewarded. Plus, just like last game, iffy penalty calls against the Rangers, and several instances where penalties should've been called in their favor add to the frustration.</p>
<p>Even though the Rangers had to play catch up after <span>Tyler Myers</span>' shot on the power play deflected off of Dan Girardi and into the net, the first period and first half of the game was plain boring hockey. Both teams were trying to see the other team crack and then take advantage of a mistake instead of being real assertive.</p>
<p>Thirteen minutes into the second period the Sabres scored their second power-play goal -- by the team's newest member, <span>Brad Boyes</span> -- but it still didn't feel like this game was out of the Rangers' reach. Then, New York received its own power play chance, and <span>Erik Christensen</span> buried a wrister to cut the lead in half.</p>
<p><span>Jochen Hecht</span> would score 4:45 into the third and the Rangers suddenly kicked it into high gear for the remainder of the period. During an offensive fury which led to a scrum in front, <span>Artem Anisimov</span> found the loose puck and snapped a shot past <span>Ryan Miller</span> to make the Rangers' deficit 3-2.</p>
<p>Miller then took the game over, robbing <span>Mats Zuccarello</span> a half-dozen times -- one of his shots trickled through Miller's five-hole and was on its way in but he flung his glove-hand behind his back and barely swiped it out -- and basically putting the Sabres on his back for the victory. After being outshot, 9-5, in the first period, the Rangers would outshoot the Sabres 26-17 the rest of the way, but it didn't matter.</p>
<p>Despite six shots on goal by Bryan McCabe (all during the second period), a gutsy performance by the best player for the Rangers, <span>Ryan Callahan</span> (five shots), Zuccarello's constant opportunities in the second half of the game and <span>Ryan McDonagh</span>'s superb defensive performance (led the team with 24:44 ice time), the Rangers could just not get the job done and their current playoff hopes are waning.</p>
<p>New York will not fall out of the race by Thursday, but Thursday's game against Minnesota will be yet another must-win affair if they want to be included in the top eight of the Eastern Conference.</p>
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<p class="game-title">Buffalo Sabres @ New York Rangers</p>
<p class="game-info">Mar 1, 2011 7:00 PM EST<br> Madison Square Garden<br> ---</p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-rangers/2011/3/1/2024144/sabres-3-rangers-2-recap-rangers-playoff-hopes-beginning-to-slip-awayJimmy Hascup2011-03-01T13:51:44-05:002011-03-01T13:51:44-05:00Buffalo Sabres At New York Rangers: Time To Win The Big Game On Home Ice
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<p>With 18 games remaining, the New York Rangers will do battle in another pivotal game with playoff implications tonight when they host the ninth-place Buffalo Sabres, who are just five points behind the Rangers, but have played three fewer games.</p>
<p>While the Rangers are 2-0 on the year against the Sabres, Buffalo is one of the few fringe playoff teams who made a big deadline move, as they'll be joined by center <span>Brad Boyes</span>, who has 41 points on the year.</p>
<p>The Sabres are similar to the Rangers in that they rely heavily on their goaltender, <span>Ryan Miller</span>, to keep them in games. <span>Thomas Vanek</span> is the team's best scorer, with 52 points, but winger <span>Drew Stafford</span> has 24 goals on the year as well. Bottle up the big guys and find ways to get pucks past Miller and the Rangers will be on their way to a very important victory.</p>
<p>We all know that scoring on a consistent basis has been a struggle for the Rangers -- since January, 19 games have been decided either way by one goal. The defense has played well, the offense creates chances but just cant seem to find the elusive second goal. The Blueshirts are also just 14-14-3 at on home ice.</p>
<p>It appears that the Rangers will have to make due for the third straight game without their best defenseman, <span>Marc Staal</span>, who is still sidelined with a twisted knee. That means <span>Steve Eminger</span> will stay in the lineup tonight and <span>Ryan McDonagh</span> will again be shifted to the first pairing with Daniel Girardi. Though <span>Ruslan Fedotenko</span> skated this morning, it also looks like he will be in the press box tonight as well, meaning <span>Kris Newbury</span> will be in the lineup. <span>Martin Biron</span> joins the list of the injured Rangers and he'll probably <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-rangers/2011/2/28/2021411/rangers-goalie-martin-biron-breaks-collarbone-could-be-done-for-season-chris-drury-glen-sather">miss the remainder of the season with a broken collarbone</a>, so look for a heavy dose of <span>Henrik Lundqvist</span> as the playoff stretch rolls on.</p>
<p>All the games are important from here on out, but even more so because New York has played more games to date nearly every team fighting for a playoff spot. The Rangers need two points tonight to extend their lead on the Sabres to seven points and keep pace with the rest of the playoff pack.</p>
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<p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/">Buffalo Sabres</a> <br> <span>@ <a href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a> </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><span>Tuesday, Mar 1, 2011, 7:00 PM EST</span><br> Madison Square Garden</p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/3/1/2330644/buffalo-sabres-at-new-york-rangers-time-to-win-the-big-game-on-homeJimmy Hascup