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Apr 5, 2010 - 11:23 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

New York (36-32-10) at Buffalo (43-25-10), 7:00 p.m. EDT

The New York Rangers embarked on a six-game road trip with pessimistic playoff prospects, but they suddenly control their own destiny in the season's final week.

So do the Buffalo Sabres.

The Sabres can clinch their first division title in three years Tuesday night in their home finale against the resurgent Rangers, who look to finish their trip with 11 points out of a possible 12.

Buffalo (43-25-10) has 14 more points than New York in the Eastern Conference, but right now it's the Rangers (36-32-10) who are playing better hockey when they need it most.

The Sabres have dropped their last two games, including a 3-0 loss at Montreal on Saturday, but still need either two points or one Ottawa regulation loss to wrap up the Northeast Division and no worse than the No. 3 seed.

New York is in the midst of a road trip that's revived its season. The Rangers were five points out of eighth when they left Manhattan on March 25, but after Saturday's 4-1 win at Florida they're 4-0-1 on the trip and within two points of Philadelphia for the East's final playoff spot.

The Rangers control their own destiny by virtue of concluding their regular-season schedule with a home-and-home against the Flyers.

"We've been a good road team all year long," said coach John Tortorella, whose club also hosts Toronto on Wednesday. "We wouldn't be in this situation if we handled ourselves a little bit better at home. We can't look back. ... We need to look ahead and stay consistent no matter where we're at right now."

Tortorella's team can make its task against the Flyers more manageable by picking up points Tuesday and Wednesday, but that won't be easy. The Sabres are 15-5-4 at HSBC Arena since Dec. 9.

While Rangers winger Ryan Callahan, who has four goals in his last four games against Buffalo, could return Tuesday from a leg injury, the Sabres will remain without two of their top offensive players. Leading scorer Tim Connolly hasn't played since March 26 and Thomas Vanek has been out since March 27, both with lower-body injuries.

Winger Patrick Kaleta, however, may be good to go Tuesday after missing five games following thumb surgery. Kaleta has three goals in as many games against the Rangers this season.

All three games have been decided by one goal, and won by the road team. Kaleta collected game winners in both of the Sabres' trips to Madison Square Garden.

Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff is excited to see his team on the cusp of its first division title since 2006-07, but is also looking forward to a final week that includes games against Boston, Ottawa and New Jersey - all potential playoff opponents.

"I told the players we want to play the role as a spoiler right now," Ruff told the Sabres' official Web site. "I want to break some teams' hearts and ruin a few dreams on the way to the final week. We knew how tough it was last year down the stretch and we don't want anybody getting any 'gimmies' off of us."

Ryan Miller is 4-1-0 with a 1.25 goals-against average in his last five starts against the Rangers, while New York starter Henrik Lundqvist is 13-5-2 with a 2.04 GAA in his last 20 road games.