Rangers Look to End Season at Home on a High Note; Face Struggling Sabres

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The Blueshirts off our backs will be on display following this contest, as this marks the end of the Rangers regular season at home in Madison Square Garden. A season where there were as many ups as there was downs, the team heads into Thursdays games against the Sabres looking to end the season on a positive note.

Health is Important
The Rangers will be without forward Chris Kreider and defenseman Ryan McDonagh as they heal up from some late season injuries that have slightly changed the dynamic of the team as they head into the post season. It’s positive news for McDonagh as coach Alain Vigneault at practice Wednesday said that there is a 50/50 chance that McDonagh plays the season finale in Montreal.

That all depends on the playoffs, and how the teams around the Rangers are fairing. Kreider on the other hand, was seen skating for the first time with a cast on his hand. I’m sure it is safe to say his return is a little further down the road.

Playoff Implications
The next two games for the Rangers are important. Getting all four possible points is important to the Rangers. With the Rangers up two points on the Blue Jackets and the Flyers, and have played at least one more game than each, these final games are important in terms of seeding and of course home ice advantage. If the Rangers drop the last two games (not saying they will), and both the Blue Jackets and Flyers win out a possible first round matchup against either the Bruins or Penguins are possible.

Yet, the best case senario is win the two games out, see what happens to the Flyers and Blue Jackets and get ready for one of the two on home ice starting the 16th. Thursday’s game in Tampa for Philadelphia, and Friday’s contest for Columbus, also in Tampa will tell you a lot in terms of McDonagh playing Saturday against Montreal. Same with Lundqvist, who was also given the 50/50 chance tag by Vigneault.

Fulltilt Forecast
The Ranger are a much better team than the Sabres.  The Sabres do not have a true number one in net right now, and that’s why I think it is safe to say the Rangers will defeat the Sabres by a convincing score of 4-1. And Ranger fans will be happy when their favorite Ranger gives them their jersey.

I’m really excited to find out who gets the Justin Falk jersey tomorrow night!

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