Peepin' Foes Preview Edition: Buffalo Sabres

That other New York team isn't flashy. That other New York team isn't much fun to watch. But that other New York team owns our New York team so they will have a big hand in the fate of the Rangers this season. Two seasons ago we had some success as Scott Gomez tripped over Ryan Miller, taking the best player out of Buffalo for over a month and ending their chances. Last year he was healthy all season, they went 3-1 against the Blueshirts, earned 100 points and won their division before bowing out to Boston. Considering there are no Olympics this year, should Miller make it through the year uninjured, this uninteresting team should make it well past the opening round of the playoffs.

Familiar Foes: You know the names - Roy, Vanek, Connolly, Pominville, blah blah blah. Old friend Pat Kaleta will hopefully, finally, be dissuaded from headhunting by Boogey (that is why we signed him, right) but Paul Gaustad should still cause havoc in front with the soft Blueshirt blueline. Oversized Tyler Myers will face a sophomore season. Little Tyler Ennis tortured us in the fourth and final matchup between the two teams and is entering his first full season in the NHL while their other mighty midget Nathan Gerbe will try to make the roster and stick this time around.

N00bz: Rob Neidermayer (Scott's grinding brother), Jordan Leopold (on his fifth team in three years), Shaone Morrisonn (Washington's mediocre mucking defender) and Cody McCormick (Colorado energy guy).

Last Year: Saturday, December 5th, 2-1 Ranger win; Saturday, December 12, 3-2 Sabres win; Sunday, March 7th, 2-1 Sabre OT win; and Tuesday, April 6th, 5-2 Sabres win.

This Year: Saturday, October 9th in Buffalo (season opener); Thursday, November 11th @ MSG; Tuesday, March 1st @ MSG; and Wednesday, March 30th in Buffalo.

What They Mean To Blue: Four likely losses. Lindy Ruff is a former Jack Adams winner for a reason: he gets the most out of mediocrity. And with Miller playing like the world class goaltender he is (USA! USA! USA!), Buffalo will be quite tough to beat.