Rangers Playoff Hopes Slip Sliding Away after 5-2 Loss to Sabres at HSBC Arena Tuesday

The New York Rangers’ slim playoff hopes took a huge hit last night after the 5-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. A bright spot was seeing Ryan Callahan return to the lineup. Brandon Prust opened up the scoring for the Rangers on a goal at 6:57 in the 1st period. I love the play of the 4th line and they’ve quadrupled their total ice time. The Rangers gave up a power play goal 3 minutes later. Buffalo scored again at 14:56 and the Blueshirts tied the game 2-2 on a power play goal late in the 1st period by PA Parenteau. I wonder what will happen to PA when Avery’s ready to return. Sabre Jochen Hecht scored on a shot that should have been stopped by Henrik Lundqvist at 5:17 in the 2nd period. Head coach John Tortorella then pulled Lundqvist in a surprising move as the Sabres took the lead 3-2. Maybe Torts wanted to give Lundqvist a rest or change momentum I’m just not sure. The Sabres defensemen pinched into the offensive zone the entire game. I lost count on the number of 4-on-3’s and 4-on-2’s Henrik had to face. Lundqvist needs to be perfect the rest of the way as he only had 13 saves on 16 shots before getting pulled. On the other end of the ice Ryan Miller was a magician for the Sabres showing why he’s one of the best goalies in the world, stopping 28 of 30 shots on goal. When Miller robbed Marian Gaborik I knew it would be a tough go the rest of the game. Ranger backup goalie Alex Auld had 12 saves on 14 shots on goal. The Blueshirts need to not hurt themselves by taking bad penalties tonight vs. Toronto and especially not against the Flyers (aka Effers). The Rangers need to come out and take it one shift at a time. The top line needs to be aggressive and take as many shots as possible. I’d like to see them treat each remaining game like an overtime period, just shoot the puck. In the immortal words of the Big Whistle Bill Chadwick SHOOT THE PUCK BARRY!