Now with his new contract finally done, Henrik Lundqvist returns to the net for the Rangers tonight when they visit the Sabres in Western Buffalo. Too much was made out of rookie Cam Talbot getting two consecutive starts. As Lundqvist noted yesterday after agreeing to seven-year extension worth $59.5 million, Talbot earned it. During appearances on ESPN’s Kay and La Greca and Mike’D On, he said he doesn’t pay attention to how many starts he makes. He just concentrates on the next game.

For Lundqvist, that opportunity comes against the rebuilding Sabres. Interim coach Ted Nolan’s team competes hard. They might not win much as their NHL worst 6-20-2 record attests. But they can’t be taken lightly. Following a five-game losing streak, Buffalo is 1-0-1 in their last two edging the Maple Leafs in overtime and falling to the Devils 1-0 in OT on Nov. 30. Goaltending is respectable featuring Team USA Olympic candidate Ryan Miller and backup Jhonas Enroth. Miller is having a good season. Ignore the 5-15-0 record and 3.18 GAA. His save percentage (.918) is higher than Lundqvist (.917). He’s very capable of stealing a game. In an article that appeared in The Buffalo News, Nolan emphasized keeping Miller. He’s in the final year of his contract and can turn unrestricted next summer.

“You look at all the championship teams and it starts from goaltending out. … I prefer you build around him rather than use him as a pawn to try and get something to make you better,” Nolan pointed out. “You learn to deal with the now as a coach and we’ve got one of the better goaltenders in the world here and I’d like to build around him myself.”

“You look at all the top guys, our top guy Ryan Miller, he’s consistent all the time,” Nolan said. “That’s why Lundqvist gets a big contract. There are those guys and there’s the rest of us.”

It’s definitely an interesting observation from a passionate veteran coach who once had Dominik Hasek. The big question with Buffalo is does it make sense to re-sign a 33-year old goalie? Miller earns $6.25 million. If he hit the market, there’s no telling what the cost would be. He’s certainly quite accomplished winning a Vezina and Olympic silver medal (2010 Vancouver). When the Sabres were a legit contender, he backstopped them to consecutive Conference Final appearances. That included a six-game second round triumph over Lundqvist and the Blueshirts in 2007. It’s always intriguing when they meet as it pits a potential Olympic match-up. Henrik represents Sweden and Miller Team USA. With Jon Quick injured and Jimmy Howard struggling, look for Miller to make the Olympic roster. Over his last 16 games versus the Rangers, Miller is 8-3-4 with a 1.96 GAA and .938 save percentage.

Whatever Buffalo decides, it must be with their best interests. If they don’t think they’re re-signing Miller, he’ll be available before the trade deadline. Considering what former general manager Darcy Regier was able to fetch for Thomas Vanek, there should be some interest. It all depends on what teams are willing to part with for a rental. In the mean time, Miller is a Sabre.

Vigneault reinserts Moore, Pyatt: When they take the ice at First Niagara Center, the Rangers will have a different lineup than the previous two. Defenseman John Moore returns along with forward Taylor Pyatt. Moore replaces Justin Falk (healthy scratch) and Pyatt is in for Derek Dorsett, who is nursing a wrist injury. It’s interesting that they’ll have no toughness against a physical team that features pest Steve Ott and is dressing Cody McCormick. Buffalo also boasts enforcer John Scott.

The thing I don’t get about the Rangers is their unwillingness to give kids a shot on the support lines. Brian Boyle and Dominic Moore have one combined goal. I’m not advocating taking out either as they both fulfill checking roles and are solid faceoff men and penalty killers. What exactly does Pyatt bring aside from energy? Couldn’t J.T. Miller play instead? I get the idea of being patient and letting him develop. At what point do they think he can give the fourth line a boost? Maybe we’ll see him by February.