Rangers vs Sabres preview by the numbers: Zibanejad cleared as team looks for a win
The New York Rangers will face the Buffalo Sabres for the first time this season. The team is looking to get back on track after having the Leafs snap a 4 game winning streak. Mika Zibanejad is also good to go after a false positive for COVID yesterday.
Here’s the game day preview by the numbers.
NYR: 10-4-3 (23 POINTS)
BUF: 7-7-2 (15 POINTS)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2021 – 6:00 PM ET MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
TV: MSG2
RADIO: ESPN 1050 AM
Rangers last game: 2-1 loss vs Toronto Maple Leafs
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RANGERS VS. SABRES
All-Time: 83-79-25-6 (47-31-15-3 at home; 36-48-10-3 on the road)
The Blueshirts are riding a six game point streak against the Sabres (6-0-1). New York has won the last 4 meetings against Buffalo at MSG.
Rangers that can stampede Buffalo:
Mika Zibanejad – 32 GP, 8G-16A=24 PTS – Zibanejad has four goals in his last two games against Buffalo and at least one point in five of his last six games against them. Last season, Zibanejad had two game-winning goals (Apr. 1, 25) against the Sabres, including the overtime winner on April 1 in Buffalo.
Artemi Panarin – 19 GP, 8G-15A=23 PTS – Tomorrow will be the 20th time Panarin faces off against the Sabres as he has points in 14 of the previous 19 matchups. Panarin has points in five of his last six games against Buffalo (3G-7A) and is a plus-6 in those six games.
Chris Kreider – 26 GP, 10G-6A=16 PTS – Kreider has points in three of his last five games against Buffalo (2G-2A) and six of his last nine games against them (5G-2A).
Adam Fox – 10GP, 1G-12A=13 PTS – Fox enters the contest with a six-game assist/point streak against the Sabres (1G-11A); he has posted a multi-assist/point game in four of the six contests. Last season, Fox’s 12 points were the most a Ranger has scored in one season against the Sabres, passing Rod Gilbert’s mark of 11 points in the 1971- 72 season. Fox’s 12 points last season against Buffalo were tied for the second most any one defenseman has recorded against the franchise in a single season (Dave Babych – 13 points in 1987-88).
Per New York Rangers Game Notes
New York Rangers by the numbers
NY Groove: The Rangers have won 4 straight at MSG and their home winning percentage of .750 is ranked 7th in the NHL.
Atlantic Success: This season, the Rangers boast their best record and goal differential against Atlantic Division opponents at 5-1 scoring 16 GF and 10 GA.
Key Rangers:
Igor Shesterkin is undefeated against the Leafs in regulation (6 GP, 5-0-1, 12 GA, 1.94 GAA)
Adam Fox’s 16 points is tied for second for NHL scoring among defenseman with Nashville’s Roman Josi leading with 17.
Kaapo Kakko has a three game point streak (2G-2A)
Ryan Strome has a five game point streak (1G -5A)
Rangers Milestones within reach
Ryan Reaves will play his 700th NHL game tonight.
Mika Zibanejad is 1 overtime goal away from tying Cecil Dillon, Butch Keeling and Brian Leetch (7 each) for the most overtime goals by a player in Rangers history. He’s 4 points away from his 300th point as a Blueshirt.
Rangers Special Teams
- NYR PP is running at a 19.6%
- NYR PK is up a bit to 78%
*All Stats and Info courtesy New York Rangers
Three Keys for victory
- A strong start will likely mean a win, the NYR are 7-0-2 when scoring first
- Roll four lines, the Sabres are struggling as of late, so stay fresh
- Make your PP chances count
NHL Rumors Roundup
The Daily Goal Horn’s weekly Sunday offering is loaded with the latest on the rumors about the Quebec Nordiques. Also featured are all the rumors this week about the Rangers, Islanders, Habs, and Canucks. Read it here.
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