Tom Renney held an option skate after yesterday’s 96 minute marathon. Most players though were on the ice, which the coach felt was good and bad.

“The idea behind an optional skate is that guys use that time to workout and rest,” Renney said. “Most guys feel they have to be out there. One of the reasons why I don’t go out there is that guys will be there because I am out there. But it tells you what guys you have.”

Not skating today were:

Brendan Shanahan, Sean Avery, Michael Nylander, Fedor Tyutin, Ryan Callahan, Matt Cullen and Game 3 hero Michal Rozsival, who could use the rest.

But the Rangers need to hand it to themselves, they did what they needed to do yesterday, playing in front of a Garden crowd totally on their side.

It’s interesting to see that, because the Blueshirts totally turned around their home record from a pedestrian 12-14-4 on Feb.24 to a 12-1-1 mark since then.

So what has changed?

“We changed our style of play at home,” said Henrik Lundqvist, one of the key reasons why they have an eight game home streak. “We do the small things and take some pride at home, like we do on the road. I think we realize we will get chances from that. We stay back and play a control game, and we will get chances.”

That’s good because the Rangers need to win tomorrow’s game and then a Game 6 at the Garden if they are going to have any chance in this series, because they will have to win a game in Buffalo and maybe two games is too much to ask.

Some other notes from Greenburgh: Jaromir Jagr was asked if there was a defenseman who could contain him. He quipped about him not being born yet.

The mood overall was lighthearted, yet confident and who can blame them, the Rangers looked good not just yesterday, but also for most of Game 2, as well. Now they know there is still a lot of work to do, but this series is not over by any means.

Later on, I will have a report on NY Sports Day from Greenburgh and check out last night’s game story as well.

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And do you like this blog? Then check out NYS’ newest venture The Gang Green Scene. Visit, comment and show your love….

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Well that was a close one. When Derek Roy hit that post it looked like it was all over. Well, it’s a battle of wills now and we will see who comes out.

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And we shouldn’t be. There was no cross-check on the Shanahan penalty, which set up Daniel Briere’s tying goal.

I don’t want to rant of the refs here since I do think they do a good job, but come on, two video replays against the Rangers and seven Buffalo pps? Maybe they are a little too strict.

But all of this will mean nothing if the Rangers score one in the OT.

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In case you were wondering Buffalo was offsides on the penalty in the beginning of the period, which is why Fedor Tyutin was pulled out of the box.

But the other calls were terrible. Taking a goal off the board on what is a questionable overturn at best killed any Ranger mo and gave Buffalo a drive.

Fortunately the Rangers were able to kill off all the power plays, so they are able to keep the shaky 1-0 lead.

Now for the third…

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That may be what the Sabres thought when they stepped on the Garden ice. The crowd was awesome.

But the fact is this: If Ryan Miller continues to stand on his head, Buffalo will be tough to beat. A lot of good chances for the Rangers, but nothing to show for it. And the Rangers again outplayed the Sabres that period.

Now some calls could be questionable. I thought Avery should have gotten a penalty shot, but the Blueshirts had some great chances.

They have to now do it again in the second.

Talk to you in 20….

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First, thanks to Tom for covering for me yesterday as I was on my way bacf from Buffalo. Now onto the game.

Tom Renney is dressing Jed Ortmeyer today in favor Ryan Hollweg. The pairing Rocky Rachunek and Paul Mara are still together.

From what I heard, Sean Avery is doing his best to rattle the Sabres, but Buffalo is just ignoring him.

Stay tuned, more after the first….

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In the pressbox here, so I couldn’t update. I am thinking Karel Rachunek coming back wasn’t such a good idea.

He and Mara look lost out there.

3-2 Buffalo with 4 min left.

Hold on to your hats!!

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Ok 2-1 Rangers. Good PP goal by Paul Mara and the Rangers are succeeding at shutting down the Sabre attack.

The Sabres have only nine shots on goal. Thye have to keep it going, but looking good so far.

Now the Rangers need to smell a little blood and finish this team off.

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Well, outside of one poor penalty kill, the Rangers killed the Sabres this period. 13-4 on shots. A great power play and basically total domination.

Unless he’s hurt, you have to wonder why Isbister was dressed over Ortmeyer. On Brian Campbell’s power play goal, that’s a shot Ortmeyer usually blocks. Unless he’s hurt, there’s little reason.

Now onto the good things. If they can keep up this pace, Buffalo will have a tough time keeping up with the Blueshirts. They just look like they have fresher legs.

Now at the end of the period, Michal Rozsival took a check into the boards, so you wonder if he re-injured that leg. That would be a key loss.

Stay Tuned for more….

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