Rangers vs Sabres Preview: Lineups Revealed, Key Storylines, and How to Watch the First Road Game
New York Rangers Aim for Redemption Against Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center
New York Rangers Face Buffalo Sabres: A Key NHL Matchup
The New York Rangers are set to confront the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday at KeyBank Center. After a disappointing 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in their season opener at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers hope to bounce back swiftly. This match offers the Rangers a chance to redeem themselves after missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs last year and to take advantage of Buffalo’s continuous rebuilding phase.
Rangers’ Strong Road Performance: What to Expect
The Rangers have been formidable on the road since 2021-22, ranking second in points (206) and third in wins (94) in the NHL during that period. Despite a challenging overall season, they secured 20 road victories. Conversely, the Sabres demonstrated their best home record in 15 years last season, although they finished 14th in the Eastern Conference.
Key Storylines for the Rangers vs. Sabres Game
- Will Borgen’s Milestone: Rangers defenseman Will Borgen will celebrate his 300th NHL game against the team that drafted him, the Sabres. Borgen, who joined the Rangers last December, plays a crucial role on the team’s second pair.
- Coaching Strategy: Rangers coach Mike Sullivan emphasizes the need for “conviction” in on-ice decisions to improve team cohesion and predictability.
- Injury and Lineup Updates: Igor Shesterkin is set to start in goal again after a strong performance, while the Sabres will see the return of key defensemen Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson.
New York Rangers: Projected Lineup
| Line | Players |
|---|---|
| First Line | Artemi Panarin – Vincent Trocheck – Alexis Lafreniere |
| Second Line | Will Cuylle – J.T. Miller – Mika Zibanejad |
| Third Line | Conor Sheary – Noah Laba – Taylor Raddysh |
| Fourth Line | Adam Edstrom – Sam Carrick – Matt Rempe |
| Defensive Pairings | Vladislav Gavrikov – Adam Fox; Carson Soucy – Will Borgen; Urho Vaakanainen – Braden Schneider |
| Goaltenders | Igor Shesterkin, Jonathan Quick |
Game Details and Viewing Information
The New York Rangers vs. Buffalo Sabres game is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be held at KeyBank Center and can be watched on MSG.
