The Rangers' puzzling downturn continued in Monday's loss to the Blackhawks. That makes eight losses in ten as Peter Laviolette cannot seem to find the answers; the offense stalled in the 2-1 loss, but the Monday result was not the fault of Igor Shesterkin, who has been good enough in goal since signing his contract extension last week, surrendering only 2 vs. both the Penguins and Sabres. At the moment, Buffalo doesn't offer much more to recommend than New York, as the Sabres are now winless in their seven, and goalie Ukko Pekka Luukkonen is struggling (4.27 GAA in December). UPL, however, did shut down the Rangers in a 6-1 win back on November 7, stopping 25 of 26 shots. Play Rangers-Sabres Under

I could make an argument that no "good" team has had worse back-to-back losses this season than the Rangers did on Sunday and Monday in falling at home to Seattle (acceptable if not have blown a 3-1 second-period lead) and Chicago (completely unacceptable). I have to think this is a get-right game. Buffalo has lost seven straight overall and six in a row at home and is without one of the best two-way blueliners in the league in the injured Rasmus Dahlin (6G, 13A, +4). NYR's Igor Shesterkin is 9-2-2 career vs. the Sabres with a 2.29 GAA and .921 SV.