Buffalo can all but end New Jersey’s playoff hopes with a win; can move up to 7th with a win and Rangers loss in Boston.
With wins over Montreal and Florida this week, the Sabres have remained three points ahead of Carolina for the eighth place spot in the Eastern Conference. Buffalo have the chance to put the Devils 12 points behind them after such an amazing comeback attempt.
The Rangers have already defeated Boston, 1-0 today. A rangers loss and a Buffalo win would have put the Sabres in 7th place. Henrik Lundqvist recorded his second shutout in as many nights.
Carolina is hosting Tampa Bay tonight for the 2nd half of a home and home series. The Lightning had a late surge last night, cutting the lead to 4-3, but were unable to tie the game in the dying seconds. If Tampa Bay loses in regulation tonight and the Sabres win, Buffalo would only be four points back of the 5th place Lightning, and the Sabres play them one more time this year.
The Sabres are now only four points Montreal, and Buffalo has a game in hand. The Canadiens are hosting Washington tonight.