Preview: Rangers Battle Sabres at The Garden

Rangers (23-17-5, 51 pts) vs. Sabres (11-24-9, 31 pts)

7:30 pm; Madison Square Garden

MSG Network; ESPN 98.7 FM

Thursday marks the second of three meetings between the Rangers and Sabres, and the first of two at The Garden.
The Rangers topped Buffalo, 3-2, earlier this month at the Winter Classic on an overtime goal by J.T. Miller.
The Sabres come into Thursday's game last in the Eastern Conference with 31 points, though they're coming off a 3-1 victory over the Blue Jackets back on Jan. 11, their last game before their bye week.
Jack Eichel leads Buffalo with 18 goals and 41 points this season, followed by Evander Kanes' 36 points in 44 contests.
Buffalo has had trouble on the defensive side of the puck, as no player on their roster is currently a plus-player. The Sabres have allowed the third-most goals in the NHL, and both No. 1 goaltender Robin Lehner and backup Chad Johnson have struggled. Lehner has nine wins in 31 starts, while Johnson has one win in 16 games (12 starts).

Players to Watch

Nash broke out Tuesday by snapping out of a 12-game scoring drought with his pair of goals. He and Vigneault said they were hopeful it was the start of a hot streak for No. 61, who has a goal/ point in eight of his last 13 games against Buffalo, with nine goals and four assists during that span.
Kyle Okposo was playing his best hockey of his season before the team dispersed for its bye week. The winger had four goals and five assists for nine points in the final eight games before the four-day break.

Rangers Projected Lineup

Rick Nash - Mika Zibanejad - Pavel Buchnevich
Mats Zuccarello - J.T. Miller - Vinni Lettieri
Jimmy Vesey - David Desharnais - Paul Carey
Michael Grabner - Peter Holland - Jesper Fast
Ryan McDonagh - Nick Holden
Brendan Smith - Kevin Shattenkirk
Brady Skjei - Steven Kampfer

Inside the Numbers

The Rangers have won 11 of their last 14 games against Buffalo, dating back to Apr. 19, 2013 (11-3-0 record over the span).