Sabres Schooled By More Experienced Rangers In Season Opening Loss

Buffalo’s powerhouse offense stifled by New York's defense and Igor Shesterkin

Pre - Game

Rousing cheers for Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, who signed long-term extensions this week, and GM Kevyn Adams, who now has locked up the Sabres core group for the rest of this decade.

There was also a touching presentation honoring the late Sabres play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret, who passed away in August.

1st Period

Devon Levi with his first big save on Alexis Lafreniere, but moments later the former first-overall pick gets another chance and buries the rebound to give the Rangers an early 1-0 lead.

Lafreniere 1 (Panarin - Chytil) 3:47

Henri Jokiharju gets slammed by the Rangers Chris Kreider, and Jordan Greenway retaliates with a cross-check. Coincidental minors.

Benson with a hooking penalty in the offensive zone. The Rangers power play was effective, as Adam Fox’s point shot was deflected by Chris Kreider. 2-0 Blueshirts

Kreider 1 (PP) (Fox - Zibanejad) 12:22

Rasmus Dahlin sends Filip Chytil airborne with a hip check. The highlight of the night for Buffalo.

NYR 2, BUF 0, Shots NY 12, BUF 7

2nd Period

Rangers have been methodical and showing their experience playing on the road in a hostile building, while Buffalo has appeared tight and nervous in the season opener.

Erik Johnson hits the pole as the Sabres press to get back into the game.

Panarin drifts in and fires one just inside the post on Levi’s blocker side. Rangers are firmly in control at this point leading 3-0. Buffalo with just nine shots on goal at the halfway mark.

Panarin 1 (unassisted) 12:49

Sabres get on the board with 90 seconds left in the middle frame, as Power streaks down the wing and shoots, it’s blocked but it goes right to J-J Peterka, who snaps it by Shesterkin.

Peterka 1 (Power - Jokiharju) 18:30

NYR 3, BUF 1 , Shots NY 20, BUF 12

3rd Period

Sabres with pressure early in the period on the power play, but Trouba with a big block helps kill it off. Buffalo gets an abbreviated man advantage midway through the period, but cannot generate any good scoring chances on Shesterkin.

Sabres get a brief 5-on-3 thanks to Vincent Trocheck’s tripping penalty, but Skinner hits iron, the Rangers go the other way and Zibanejad sets up Kreider for a short-handed goal to make it 4-1.

Kreider 2 (SH) (Zibanejad - Miller) 11:34

Trouba ends any remaining suspense with an empty netter to make it 5-1. A frustrating beginning for the Sabres against one of the best teams in the NHL.

Trouba 1 (EN) (Kreider - Zibanejad) 18:31

Final - NYR 5, BUF 1, Shots NY 31, BUF 25

Postgame Notes

Igor Shesterkin made 24 saves in the win and improved his career record against the Sabres to 8-0-2.

New York had 23 blocked shots on the night, with Trouba leading the way with eight.

"I thought they controlled their emotions, worked hard to stay on objective, but we're challenged nonetheless." Sabres head coach Don Granato said. "I think our guys did their best to not be frustrated and stay in the moment and stay on it. It was a challenging night you get scored on twice in the first three chances against."