Matchup: Buffalo Sabres (11-13-4) vs. New York Rangers (14-12-1)
Date & Time: Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 7:00 PM EST
Location: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
TV Coverage: TNT, truTV
Streaming: Max
Radio Broadcast: WGR 550
As the Buffalo Sabres prepare to host the New York Rangers tonight at KeyBank Center, all eyes are on a matchup that promises high stakes and heavy implications for both teams navigating turbulent seasons. With the Sabres seeking to snap a seven-game winless streak (0-4-3) and the Rangers struggling at 2-8-0 in their last 10 games, the stage is set for a clash filled with determination, desperation, and the pursuit of redemption.
Context and Stakes
The Sabres enter this game seventh in the Atlantic Division with an 11-13-4 record, while the Rangers sit fifth in the Metropolitan Division at 14-12-1. Both teams remain in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff hunt, with the Rangers trailing the Philadelphia Flyers by just one point for the second wild card and the Sabres sitting four points out. These standings underscore the importance of every game, as neither team can afford to let valuable points slip away.
Buffalo’s recent struggles have been marked by their inability to close games, as evidenced in Monday’s shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Despite leading 5-3 in the third period, the Sabres allowed Detroit to claw back and ultimately fell short in the shootout. The loss extended their winless streak and highlighted recurring issues with defensive breakdowns and a lack of killer instinct.
Key Storylines to Watch
Mattias Samuelsson’s Return
There is optimism for the Sabres as defenseman Mattias Samuelsson is expected to return to the lineup after missing 12 games with a lower-body injury. His presence on the blue line should provide stability and leadership to a group that has struggled to hold leads. The Sabres’ coach emphasized the importance of Samuelsson’s contributions, particularly in physical matchups like tonight’s game.
Scoring First, Finishing Strong
The Sabres’ ability to start strong has been evident—they rank tied for fifth in the NHL with 30 first-period goals this season. However, converting early momentum into wins has been a persistent issue. They’ve scored the first goal in their last four games but lost all of them.
Power Play Drought
Another critical area for improvement is the Sabres’ power play, which has gone 1-for-24 in its last nine games after an earlier stretch during which it converted at nearly 30%. The coaching staff has emphasized quicker decision-making and generating traffic in front of the net as keys to reigniting the man advantage. Tonight’s game presents an opportunity to turn that corner.
Head-to-Head: What to Expect
The Sabres’ most recent meeting with the Rangers on November 7 remains a highlight of their season. Buffalo erupted for four second-period goals en route to a commanding 6-1 victory at Madison Square Garden in that game. Dylan Cozens, Tage Thompson, and Jordan Greenway were among the scorers in a performance that showcased speed, precision passing, and relentless forechecking.
Since that dominant outing, both teams have seen their fortunes decline. Once 12-4-1, the Rangers have suffered from defensive lapses and inconsistent goaltending. Artemi Panarin continues to lead the way offensively for New York with 34 points in 27 games, while Adam Fox remains a playmaking force on the blue line. Tonight marks Panarin’s 700th NHL game, a milestone he’ll look to celebrate with a strong performance.
For Buffalo, players like Jason Zucker and JJ Peterka will be critical. Zucker enters the contest on a four-game point streak, while Peterka has a chance to hit the 100-point milestone in his NHL career with just one more contribution.
What’s at Stake
Both teams are aware that their playoff aspirations hinge on finding consistency and correcting their respective issues. For the Sabres, sustained pressure and disciplined play in all three zones will be vital to securing a much-needed win. Meanwhile, the Rangers, reeling from back-to-back home losses, will look to capitalize on Buffalo’s mistakes and generate offense from their top players.
Projected Lineups for Today’s Game – Courtesy of NHL.com
Rangers projected lineup
Chris Kreider — Mika Zibanejad — Reilly Smith
Artemi Panarin — Vincent Trocheck — Alexis Lafreniere
Will Cuylle — Filip Chytil — Kaapo Kakko
Adam Edstrom — Sam Carrick — Brett Berard
K’Andre Miller — Braden Schneider
Zac Jones — Victor Mancini
Scratched: Connor Mackey, Jonny Brodzinski, Jimmy Vesey
Injured: Urho Vaakanainen (upper body)
Sabres projected lineup
JJ Peterka — Tage Thompson — Alex Tuch
Zach Benson — Jiri Kulich — Dylan Cozens
Jordan Greenway — Ryan McLeod — Jason Zucker
Beck Malenstyn — Peyton Krebs — Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Mattias Samuelsson — Connor Clifton
Scratched: Jack Quinn, Dennis Gilbert, Jacob Bryson
Injured: Rasmus Dahlin (back spasms), Sam Lafferty (lower body)
Final Thoughts
With the national spotlight shining on this matchup via TNT’s broadcast, the Sabres have an opportunity to make a statement and end their winless streak against a struggling Rangers squad.
Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. Stay tuned for updates and analysis as the game unfolds, and don’t forget to follow Sabres Insight for comprehensive post-game coverage.