Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Sabres failed to beat goalie Igor Shesterkin in a 4-0 loss to the New York Rangers to open the 2025-26 regular season on Thursday night at KeyBank Center.
The first penalty of the season was assessed to Mason Geertsen for tripping, but Buffalo was able to kill off the chance and did not allow the Rangers to score on their extra-man opportunity.
Alexis Lafreniere scored the first goal of the game on a second chance opportunity at the side of the net. The puck was sent toward the Sabres' goal by Vincent Trocheck, and Lafreniere was able to beat Alex Lyon for his first goal of the season and a 1-0 Rangers advantage.
Lyon made 15 saves in the first period on 16 total shots faced.
The Sabres were credited with 11 shots on goal, but failed to score against Shesterkin. Buffalo did not have a power play chance in the first period.
Neither team was able to score in the second period, sending the two teams to the intermission with New York still leading the Sabres, 1-0. This despite the Sabres being awarded three power play opportunities in the period.
Buffalo outshot the Rangers, 13-5, in the middle frame, but were still unable to beat Shesterkin, who made 25 saves through 40 minutes.
The game's second goal was not scored until just over five minutes remaining in regulation.
Carson Soucy was able to pinch in from the blue line and release a wrist shot to beat Lyon. The defenseman's first goal of the season extended New York's lead to 2-0.
The deficit reached three goals for Buffalo when Rangers captain J.T. Miller was able to score his first goal of the season to balloon the lead to 3-0.
That was quickly followed by an empty-net goal by defenseman Adam Fox, who helped New York finish the night with a four-goal victory.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: NONE
NYR: 11:43 - Alexis Lafreniere (1) (Vincent Trocheck, Artemi Panarin)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
NYR: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
NYR: 14:46 - Carson Soucy (1) (Will Borgen, J.T. Miller); 17:11 - J.T. Miller (1) (Braden Schneider, Alexis Lafreniere); 17:25 - Adam Fox (1) ENG (Sam Carrick)
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Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Igor Sheshterkin - NYR
2.) Alexis Lafreniere - NYR
3.) Carson Soucy - NYR
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What's next:
The Sabres head out on the road for the first time on Saturday when they take on the Boston Bruins on Saturday. Puck drop from TD Garden is slated for 7 p.m. with pregame coverage starting at 6 p.m. with Brian Koziol on the radio home of the Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.