Game 5

May 4th, 2007

Buffalo Sabres (2-2) vs. New Rangers (2-2)

Puck Drop: 8:00 PM EST | HSBC Arena | Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG

Radio: WGR 550

SB Nation Rangers Blog: Blueshirt Banter

Know Your Opponent

New York Rangers

Record: (2-2)

What to Watch

1. Breakin’

After winning the first two games of the series, the Sabres have lost their lead, losing two in a row the Rangers. It would be unfortunate to fall behind, especially given that Buffalo comes into the series off of a President’s Trophy season. The Sabres should be running away with the series. The competition of the postseason is always closer than the regular season, but it would be fantastic if the Sabres could make it a little less so.

2. Set the pace

With 308 goals (3.76 goals per game), the Sabres led the NHL in the regular season. They’ve scored only one in each of the last two games. With one of the most potent offenses in the league, it’s an atrocity not only that they were outscored, but have failed to score with any regularity in the last 156 minutes. The Sabres need to get back on track, and get back to doing what they do well. Daniel Briere has one goal. Chris Drury has one goal. Briere led the team in points this year, and Drury was third on the squad. These players – these leaders – are going to have to be clutch if the Sabres have hopes to regain control of the series.

3. Millllllleeeeeeeeerrrrrrr

The last two matchups have been thrilling, and though goaltender Ryan Miller has come out on the losing end, he’s been fantastic. For a losing goalie to have a .945 save percentage over those two games is pretty incredible. The Sabres need to do a better job of limiting shots – Miller saw nearly 50 last game. Clearly, he’s able to backstop the team when he’s called upon like that, but I’m sure he would appreciate the break, and fans sure would enjoy some extended time in the offensive zone.

Projected Lineups

Buffalo Sabres

Maxim Afinogenov

Daniel Briere

Brian Campbell

Tim Connolly

Chris Drury

Paul Gaustad

Jochen Hecht

Dmitri Kalinin

Ales Kotalik

Toni Lydman

Adam Mair

Teppo Numminen

Jason Pominville

Derek Roy

Jaroslav Spacek

Henrik Tallinder

Thomas Vanek

Dainius Zubrus

Goaltender: Ryan Miller (expected)

New York Rangers

Sean Avery

Blair Betts

Ryan Callahan

Matt Cullen

Dan Girardi

Marcel Hossa

Brad Isbister

Jaromir Jagr

Marek Malik

Paul Mara

Michael Nylander

Jed Ortmeyer

Petr Prucha

Karel Rachunek

Michal Rosival

Brendan Shanahan

Martin Straka

Fedor Tyutin

Starting goalie: Henrik Lundquist