Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres' regular season opener was spoiled by a 5-1 loss to the New York Rangers on Thursday night at KeyBank Center.
The Rangers were able to break through first just minutes into the game for a 1-0 lead. Artemi Panarin was able to slide a pass to the top of the crease for Alexis Lafreniere's first goal of the season.
New York took advantage of their first power play chance of the game to double the Rangers' lead midway through the opening period. Zach Benson was in the penalty box for hooking when Chris Kreider was able to re-direct a shot from the point by Adam Fox make it 2-0, New York.
Benson was making his NHL debut on Thursday after being selected by the Sabres with the 13th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Meanwhile, Devon Levi got the start in net for the Sabres, becoming one of the youngest goalies to start a season opener in franchise history.
New York padded their lead, thanks to a turnover created in the offensive zone. Panarin recorded his second point of the night by beating Levi with a shot from the top of the slot. His first goal of the season increased the Rangers' lead to 3-0 in the middle period.
JJ Peterka was able to capitalize on a second chance opportunity in the offensive zone for the Sabres' first goal of the season to trim the deficit to 3-1. Peterka's goal came after Owen Power took the initial shot that was blocked and went right to the forward.
Power and Henri Jokiharju were credited with the assists, as Peterka scores his second-consecutive season-opening goal for Buffalo.
Erik Gutsafsson took a late interference penalty with seconds remaining in the second period to give Buffalo their first power play chance of the game. New York was able to kill off the penalty that spanned across the second and third periods.
Rasmus Dahlin was called for a cross-checking minor partway through the third period, but a Filip Chytil tripping penalty eliminated the opportunity for New York.
However, a shorthanded opportunity minutes later helped New York re-establish their three goal lead, 4-1. It was Kreider scoring his second goal of the night after Mika Zibanejad took the puck to the net and made a spin pass that deflected to the front of the Buffalo net.
The goal came with Vincent Trocheck in the penalty box for tripping.
Jacob Trouba added an empty net goal late in the third to provide the Rangers with their four-goal victory, 5-1.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
NYR: 3:47 - Alexis Lafreniere (1) (Artemi Panarin, Filip Chytil); 12:22 - Chris Kreider (1) PPG (Adam Fox, Mika Zibanejad)
Second Period:
BUF: 18:30 - JJ Peterka (1) (Owen Power, Henri Jokiharju)
NYR: 12:49 - Artemi Panarin (1) (Unassisted)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
NYR: 11:34 - Chris Kreider (2) SHG (Mika Zibanejad, K'Andre Miller); 18:31 - Jacob Trouba (1) ENG (Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 8:14 - Jordan Greenway (Cross-checking - 2 min.); 12:06 - Zach Benson (Hooking - 2 min.)
NYR: 8:14 - Chris Kreider (Boarding - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 0:32 - Jeff Skinner (Tripping - 2 min.)
NYR: 19:23 - Erik Gustafsson (Interference - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 7:18 - Rasmus Dahlin (Cross-checking - 2 min.); 18:54 - Kyle Okposo (Roughing - 2 min.)
NYR: 8:51 - Filip Chytil (Tripping - 2 min.); 10:40 - Vincent Trocheck (Tripping - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Chris Kreider - NYR
2.) Artemi Panarin - NYR
3.) JJ Peterka - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres will hit the road for their first game away from KeyBank Center on Saturday night when they take on the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Long Island.
Faceoff from Elmont, N.Y. is set for 7:30 p.m. ET with pregame coverage on WGR beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET with Brian Koziol.