After some “fans” and the media blew that shoot out loss in Montreal way out of proportion, the Rangers answered back in Buffalo tonight and secured two more points in their battle to attain a playoff berth for a third straight season. In a game that found the lead change hands a couple of times, the Rangers were able to answer back quickly after Buffalo went up 3-2 and tied the game.

They took the tie into the third period and outshot the Sabres 11 to 6. They were even able to hold off the Sabres powerplay when Michael Rosival was called for interference at 19:37 of the third period. At the beginning of the game, Gomez was blatantly tripped. Nothing was called. Half-way through the third, Avery was hauled down . Once again, nothing was called.  It was only just that Avery scored the winning goal.

Many things went right for the Rangers tonight in the scoring department. Jagr finally got off the schneid with his first goal in 13 games. It was a real skill goal, as Jagr purposefully redirected the puck with his stick blade. Nigel Dawes may be the best speedy little sniper the Rangers have had since Theo Fleury. Scott Lasky on MSGNY has dubbed Brandon Dubinsky the “Alaskan Assassin”. I have every faith this monicker will stick. As this kid matures and fills out physically, he should become a great power forward for the New York Rangers. Lastly, the most hated player in the NHL, Sean Avery sealed the deal for the Rangers with the timely game winner.

If the Rangers lost as a team in Montreal on Tuesday, they won as a team in Buffalo tonight. Good for them. They were able to put it past them and move on. What doesn’t kill you is supposed to make you stronger. At least that’s what they say. The only complaint I have about the Rangers game tonight was their inability to score on the powerplay. Again tonight the Rangers went 0 for 5. They may have had three powerplay goals on Tuesday in Montreal but they need to be more consistent on the powerplay. If the Rangers do make the playoffs, they won’t get too far if their powerplay continues to be ineffective.

I’ll take the hard won two points and move on. One game at a time from here on out.

Let’s Go Rangers!