The Rangers kick off 2015 with a Saturday evening contests against the Sabres. New York comes in having won nine of 10, including a 5-2 win over Florida to end 2014. After losing their first two at MSG, the Rangers are 12-3-3 since. Buffalo, who had been playing better, has lost seven of eight, allowing at least four goals in seven of their last nine games.
For the Rangers, who are about to embark on a tough three-game California road trip and rough stretch in general, a win today would allow them to keep pace in the tough Metro Division. The lineup for tonight's game has yet to be decided, as it will truly be a game-time decision. Unfortunately, Marc Staal's grandfather passed away recently and Staal has not skated the past two days as the funeral was Friday and he arrived back in New York this morning. The lineup decisions could have been even greater, as Dan Boyle also missed yesterday's practice due to a personal matter, but he was at the pre-game skate and will play today.
With Buffalo in town, we all get to see the All-Star starter, Zemgus Girgensons. We won't go into if there was any ballot box stuffing, as I think it's pretty clear. If there is a Sabres' All-Star, Z would be it, though clearly not as a starter. Michael Neuvirth, not Jhonas Enroth, who had been keeping Buffalo afloat but has lost four of five, will be between the pipes.
For Buffalo, the lines are:
Moulson-Girgensons-Ennis Hodgson-Grigorenko-Stewart Flynn-McCormick-Stafford Deslauriers-Larsson-Kaleta
Gorges-Ristolainen Weber-Zadorov Strachan-Meszaros
Neuvirth
If Staal is unable to go, that will mean John Moore and Matt Hunwick will be in the lineup. If Staal can't go, it's even money who plays, though knowing Staal, he will give a go (update: he is in the lineup with Moore scratched for Hunwick, the revolving door as the sixth d-man continues). Up front, I would expect the same lineup as Wednesday, meaning Tanner Glass on the bench, Lee Stempniak on the third line with Kevin Hayes and Carl Hagelin while J.T. Miller is on with Dominic Moore and Jesper Fast (update: Fast and not Miller over up to the third line with Stempniak, who is not well-suited for that role, down to the fourth). Henrik Lundvist will be between the pipes and look for Cam Talbot to start one-end of the upcoming back-to-back with Anaheim and LA.