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Rangers hope to rebound from historic loss

Feb 23, 2008 - 2:10 PM NY Rangers (30-24-8) at Buffalo (30-23-8) 7:00 pm EST

BUFFALO, New York (Ticker) - The New York Rangers will try to bounce back from a historic defeat when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.

After the Rangers rolled to a 5-0 lead in the second period Tuesday, the Montreal Canadiens rallied for a 6-5 shootout victory. It was the first time in Montreal's storied history that it rallied from a five-goal deficit to win a game.

Brendan Shanahan scored two goals and now has 20 tallies on the season for the 19th consecutive campaign. Captain Jaromir Jagr finished with a season-high four assists.

"We're a little embarrassed and not happy about it getting only one point when we were winning 5-0," Shanahan said. "We got back on our heels and we were guilty of not playing the game we started to play.

"This is kind of one of those crazy games that certainly is not a pattern with us. We're upset about it, but it's not something we're going to make into a bigger deal than it is."

With 68 points, New York is currently tied for sixth in the East with Buffalo and the Boston Bruins.

The Sabres will look to record their third straight victory, while avoiding their third loss to the Rangers in as many meetings this season.

Ales Kotalik scored two goals and red-hot Tomas Vanek added a tally and two assists in Thursday's 5-1 triumph over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Vanek has nine goals - including a pair of hat tricks - over his last six games and has helped the Sabres post a 10-2-2 mark during the last 14 games.