NYR can move closer to home-ice ad with defeat of Sabres

          Apologies for some erractic postings. Been fighting a couple things that caught up with me during the Western Canada trip.

          Finally got to the dentist today, for example, and have a root canal scheduled tomorrow morning. Oh joy.

         Love this job and its, ahem, beautiful grind, to reference Peter Case. Anybody remember the Plimsouls? Or Peter's solo tunes? He's still rolling at 60...

         Anyway, I did cover today's practice and will cover Thursday's game, though.

         And, I've been worse. Health-wise, I mean, not the quality of the Rangers efforts.

         So, the news:

         Ryan McDonagh will miss a fourth straight game against Sabres, although he skated in a noncontact jersey. Chose not to discuss his progress with the media, but coach Alain Vigneault reiterated that he is "50-50" for Saturday. Again, the team won't risk playing him Saturday unless they are assured that he is 100 percent.

        No sign of Chris Kreider. Not unexpected.  He can't hold a stick. 

        Lines and d-pairs looked the same. Henrik Lundqvist will start vs. Sabres, although Cam Talbot could get the start in Montreal Saturday. Another "50-50" call by Vigneault.  We can debate that if it happens.

         I've prepared a story on the productive Zuke-Brassard-Pouliot line for the paper and for posting later. 

        Scoreboard watching? Columbus plays tonight, Philly tomorrow.

****

        "When you know in your heart there's no way out but through...

        Take a walk with me darlin', beyond the blues...."

         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfo_azgpnyM