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Rangers aim to keep Sabres' high-flying offense in check again

May 1, 2007 - 3:17 PM Buffalo at NY Rangers 7:00 pm EDT Eastern Conference semifinal Sabres lead, 2-1

NEW YORK (Ticker) - The New York Rangers are hoping they have unlocked the secret of stopping - or at the very least, slowing down - the potent offensive attack of the Buffalo Sabres.

The Rangers look to hold serve at home and even their Eastern Conference semifinal series as they host the Sabres in Game Four on Tuesday.

New York defeated Buffalo on Sunday for the first time in seven tries this season with a 2-1 victory in double overtime, putting it in position to go back to Buffalo all square with another home win.

The Sabres scored an NHL-best 308 goals this season and were the only team with four players with at least 30. However, since a 5-2 win in the series opener - in which Buffalo scored three times in a four-minute stretch of the second period - Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist has allowed only four goals in eight periods.

The Rangers have played well defensively. If they can solve Sabres goalie Ryan Miller consistently, a series some thought would end quickly may go the distance.

New York scored 17 goals in its first-round sweep of Atlanta but has only found the net six times through three contests against Buffalo.

Miller, who had won five straight games since a loss in Game Two in the first round against the New York Islanders, recorded 44 saves in Game Three. With Miller's 1.98 goals-against average and .931 save percentage, the Rangers have their work cut out for them.