Peepin' Foes: Buffalo Sabres

The Rangers return to the Garden on Saturday (7pm, MSG) to take on the Buffalo Sabres, kicking off a run of seven games in 12 days that could drop them entirely out of the playoff race.

Where We Are: You can look at it as the Rangers got points in two of their last three games, or you can look at it as one win in their last six. There is little life as the team shows not heart, no identity and no scoring while trapped under Tortorella's scowl. In Chicago Henrik's Swedish composure kept him from looking like Denis Lemieux after the first period of the big game against Syracuse in Slap Shot but he surely felt as under siege.

Where They Are: After their shocking 2-1 loss to us last Saturday, Buffalo was shut out by Mmmmaaaaarrrttttyyyy 3-0 Monday, beat Washington 3-0 Wednesday and edged out Chicago 2-1 Friday night. That means they should be tired. But the Red Wings were supposed to be tired coming off back-to-back games but they still outplayed the Rangers on Sunday to win 3-1.

Who To Watch For: Ryan Miller had the night off against the Hawks so look at him to play a strong game in the Sabre net. Tim Connolly has been ice cold of late but the population of Pominville is booming, averaging a point per game in his last seven games. Austrian sniper Thomas Vanek had gone five games without scoring before getting on the board against Chicago. Brian Boyle's BC buddy, the mighty midget Nathan Gerbe was starring in the AHL, earned himself a call-up and had a goal and an assist in his first game (against the Caps).

What To Watch For: Tyler Myers attempting to avenge the gaffe that gave the Rangers their win last Saturday. Gerbe and Vanek to take advantage of the soft Blueshirt blueline to get into good scoring positions down low. How Ilkka Heikkinen fares - if he does well, Hobey's stay in Hartford could be a long one. Brash lumbering around attempting to keep Patrick Kaleta from killing anyone.

What We'll (Hopefully) See: Gross reported that P.A. Parenteau is likely to be scratched for Enver Lisin so hopefully Lisin to come flying out of the gate to regain his spot in the lineup. Lisin to re-ignite his bro-mance with Arty Anisimov. Higgins to extend his three game point streak. Dead Man Skating Drury to show any signs of life. Avery to show signs of being Avery again. Erik Christensen to get double digit minutes and his first point(s) as a Ranger. Cally to get on the scoreboard to finally get into double digits in points (he has nine in 30 games - not enough).

Also Check Out: Shots off the Crossbar and SBN's Die By The Blade.