The series shifts today to the Garden, where the Rangers need to make a dent in the Sabres’ 2-0 lead, or else run the risk of being in a position from which only two clubs have ever emerged. Overcoming a 3-0 series deficit is not unheard of, but it’s rare; only the Cup-winning Leafs in ’42, and the ’75 Islanders (who were eliminated in the next round) have managed the feat.

There’s always an opportunity to make history, but the Rangers don’t want to face the task of climbing a 3-0 mountain. If they win tonight, it’s a series. Based on their play in Game Two, they can win if they avoid the lazy, costly mistakes that seem always to plague them. Even in Game One they showed some muster. It all hinges on their performance today at 2 p.m.