John Giannone of MSG Networks tweets that Wojtek Wolski, Matt Gilroy and Chad Johnson were all on the ice this morning, while the rest of the team met off the ice.

...got to assume MZA back in and Wolski out. Wolski normally doesn't participate in morning skates when in the lineup.

...Rangers desperately need some scoring so let's hope MZA can deliver.

...just an FYI , Wolski has zero goals in the last 14 games, while Michal Rozsival has two. No wonder the Coyotes were so willing to take Rozy and his contract for Wolski.

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Hockey's Future begins their look at the NHL's Top 50 prospects with numbers 41-50...

Starting at #50, New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh makes his return to this list after last appearing at #39 in the Fall, 2009 version of the rankings. McDonagh has changed teams since that last Top 50 appearance, having been traded by the Montreal Canadiens to the Rangers in the interim. The heady McDonagh has impressed during his time with the Rangers this season, and seems poised to move his career to another level.

...how in the world does McD drop from #39 to #50 when he's now excelling in the NHL? Shouldn't he have moved up?

...as far as McD goes, he is playing with composure far beyond his years and I'm looking forward to him being a staple on the Rangers blueline for years to come. Hoping he'll work on his offense in the offseason to help him become a more complete player.

The Hockey's Future also takes a look at how Rangers prospect Christian Thomas (2010 - 2nd) has stepped up his game in the OHL playoffs.

...considering Thomas scored 54 goals in 66 regular season games that's very impressive.

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Adam Proteau at The Hockey News takes a look at the top 10 can't miss games down the stretch. One was last night's Rangers/Sabres game which was more like a must miss for Rangers fans and here is the other...

9. Boston at New York Rangers, April 4

As potential first round opponents, the Blueshirts and Bruins will have much to prove against each other when they square off at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers have won two of the three games the teams have played this season, but at this stage, they need the points more than Boston.

...yeah this might be a big game. Not sure though. ;)

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For those of you not familiar with the Yahoo Sports fantasy rotisserie scoring system click here. For more on TheNYRBlog Fantasy Hockey League Championship round click here.

OVERALL POINTS
Team   G   A  +/-  PPP  SHG  GWG  H   W  GAA  SV%  SO  TOT
TG     7   8   5   5.5  4.5   7   3   3   6    7   7   63

MSGU   5   6   8    1   4.5   7   2   6   7    6   7   59.5

JDAS   8   3   6    7   4.5   7  5.5  8   3    3   3   58

BLUE  2.5 1.5  7    3   4.5  2.5  7   3   8    8   7   54

FS     5  1.5 3.5   3   4.5   5   8   6   4    5   3   48.5

GTFM   5   6   1    8   4.5  2.5 5.5  1   1    1   3   38.5

GS    2.5  6  3.5   3   4.5  2.5  1   3   5    4   3   38

S'94   1   4   2   5.5  4.5  2.5  4   6   2    2   3   36.5

Team Key: JDAS = Jim Dolan's All Stars, TG = The Greeks, S'94 = Spring of '94, GTFM = GetTheFrolovMatteau, BLUE = BLUESHIRTS, FS = Fire Sather, MSGU = MS G-Unit, GS = Glen Sather

Scoring Key: G = Goals, A = Assists, +/- = +/-, PPP = Power Play Points, SHG = Shorthanded Goals, GWG = Game Winning Goal, H = Hits, W = Wins, GAA = Goals Against Average, SV% = Save Percentage, SO = Shutouts, TOT = Total Points

OVERALL STATS
Team         G  A  +/-  PPP  SHG  GWG  H  W  GAA  SV%  SO
GTFM         3  6  -10   6    0    0  20  0  5.00 .792  0

Fire Sather  3  3  -1    2    0    1  23  2  1.62 .947  0

Spring '94   0  5  -4    3    0    0  19  2  2.33 .927  0

Glen Sather  2  6  -1    2    0    0   7  1  1.01 .941  0

The Greeks   5 10   2    3    0    2  18  1  0.51 .985  1

MS G-Unit    3  6   8    1    0    2  15  2  0.50 .980  1

Dolan Stars  7  4   3    4    0    2  20  3  2.01 .938  0

BLUESHIRTS   2  3   7    2    0    0  22  1  0.00 1.00  1

Thank you to the Rangers and Glass Bangers T-Shirts (I definitely recommend checking them out) for hooking us up with some great prizes.

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Pierre LeBrun at ESPN.com takes a look at the top contenders in the Vezina Trophy trophy race including Henrik Lundqvist...

Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Stats: Tied for seventh in wins (33), fifth in save percentage (.924) and GAA (2.24), first in shutouts (11).

Breakdown: Previously nominated for the award, King Henrik's Vezina campaign has really only caught on nationally in the past few weeks, in line with his team's red-hot, late-season stretch. His league-leading 11 shutouts definitely make a statement. Much like Carey Price in Montreal, you wonder where Lundqvist's team would be without him and whether it would be sitting in a playoff spot.

LeBrun feels that Thomas should win the award.

...not sure of Lundqvist is going to overcome Thomas for the Vezina, but as I said last night Hank's performance down the stretch has vaulted him, in my opinion, into Hart contention as well. Think about it. Would Boston or Vancouver still be in the playoffs without Thomas or Sedin. Probably. Would the Rangers even be contending for a spot without Lundqvist? Exactly.

Bergen Record - Rangers slip into eighth place after 1-0 loss to Sabres

Bergen Record - Henrik Lundqvist's silence is golden

New York Post - Blanked in battle for 7th place

New York Post - Rangers await Da Costa's decision

Daily News - Sabres drop Rangers, 1-0, to draw even

New York Times - Rookie Goalie Foils Rangers, and Race Tightens

Newsday - Rangers shut out by Sabres, fall to 8th

Newsday - Stepan's come long way from hat trick

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Rangers head coach John Tortorella speaks with reporters after the Blueshirts fell to the Sabres 1-0 on March 30 at Buffalo's HSBC Arena.


Rangers at Sabres lowlights.

For player post game quotes visit Blue Notes.

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Andrew Gross at Rangers Rants has quotes from Henrik Lundqvist on his right knee which was struck by a puck while making a save in the second period which caused the goaltender to be shaken up...

"I feel pretty good," said Lundqvist, acknowledging he did get treatment after the game. But then he said, "My goal is to play tomorrow."

John Tortorella's response to questions on Lundqvist's health...

"Oh, he's fine. You guys. I tell you," said Tortorella, with the replay that Lundqvist, who is typically at his stall waiting to talk to the media, was not around at first. "He probably doesn't want to talk to you."

...he finished the game so you have to assume he's ok. I played goalie in high school and had that happen to me a few times. Doesn't feel good but usually not a problem going forward. I fully expect to see Hank between the pipes on Long Island tomorrow.

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The New York Rangers (41-31-5) lost to the Buffalo Sabres (39-29-9) by the score of 1-0, tonight. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

...these guys can't make it easy on us can they. Didn't look like they were ready to match the intensity of the moment until it was too late. Got to be ready from the drop of the puck. Not sure how you can come out so flat in a game so big.

...the Rangers have now scored one goal combined in the last two games against Tim Thomas and Ryan Miller's backups. If the Rangers would have sent bodies to the net the entire game the way they did in the third they would have won.

...forget Vezina, the way Lundqvist is playing he should be getting Hart considerations.

...while Gaborik had five shots didn't seem like he had any velocity on them.

...thought AA had a great start to the game but as was the case with most of the team he couldn't hit the net with his shot. Rangers need to watch the Sabres, just get the puck on net.

...thought Avery was one of the best players on the ice and was rewarded with a whopping 10 minutes of ice time. Would have liked Torts to play him some shifts with Gabby and Stepan.

...while the Rangers defense has been great all year, they need to start generating some more offense. Especially the offensive minded McCabe who had a grand total of zero shots on goal tonight.

...got to assume MZA is back in tomorrow with either EC or Wolski headed to the press box. Just three shots on goal in the last four games for EC who has one of the best wrist shots in the league. Maddening.

...this loss drops the Rangers to 8th place and with Carolina's win over Montreal the Blueshirts are now just three points ahead of 9th.

...right back at it tomorrow night on Long Island.

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The New York Rangers (41-30-5, 87 pts., 7th in East) visit the Buffalo Sabres (38-29-9, 85 pts., 8th in East) at HSBC Arena tonight starting at 7:00 p.m. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

Rangers Game Notes

TV: MSG2; Radio: 970AM The Apple, XM 207 (For MSG2 listings click here)

Probable Lines:
Gaborik-Stepan-Prospal
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan
Avery-Christensen-Wolski
Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust

Staal-Girardi
McDonagh-Sauer
McCabe-Eminger

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 33-24-5, 2.24 gaa, .924 sv%, 11 so.

Jhonas Enroth - 5-2-1, 2.77 gaa, .906 sv%, 0 so.

Opponent Notes:
- Buffalo is 4-1-1 in their last six.

- Thomas Vanek has a goal in each of Buffalo's last two games, but has been held without one the last eight against the Rangers.

- The Sabres have killed off 35 of its last 36 penalties against.

- Buffalo is second in the East and fourth overall in the NHL in shots on goal at 33 per game.

- Jason Pominville has a three-game point streak with two goals and two assists.

-  D Shaone Morrisonn (Healthy Scratch), Jochen Hecht (Upper Body), Derek Roy (Quad), Jordan Leopold (Finger) and Mike Grier (Knee) are all out of tonight's game.

- Thomas Vanek leads the Sabres in points with 65 (27g, 38a), while Drew Stafford leads the team with 28 goals.

2010-11 Season Series:
Oct. 9 Rangers 6, Sabres 3 at Buffalo
Nov. 11 Rangers 3, Sabres 2 (OT) at MSG
March 1 Rangers 2, Sabres 3 at MSG
March 30 Rangers vs. Sabres at Buffalo

Opponent Blog:
Top Shelf Blog

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