BUFFALO — Regarding the Rangers, eight points clear of a playoff spot at 16-7-1 entering Thursday’s match against the Sabres:
1. A pair of 3-2 victories in the last three games in which Henrik Lundqvist ultimately made the difference with late saves from in front of the net will do more for the Blueshirts’ greater good than the preceding string of 6-1, 5-0, 5-2 and 7-2 wipeouts.
These are the kinds of games the Rangers must win down the stretch and in the playoffs if they are going to turn this season into an unexpected special one.