Igor Shesterkin stopped 37 shots and Alex Lafreniere’s first-period goal stood up as the winner in the New York Rangers’ 4-0 victory over the Sabres in Buffalo’s season-opener.

Goalie Igor Shesterkin has been spectacular through the Rangers’ first two games of the season, combining for 65 saves on the 66 shots he’s seen.

Igor Shesterkin made 37 saves to lead the New York Rangers to their first victory of the 2025-26 season, a 4-0 shutout on the road against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on Thurday. It was Shesterkin’s 22nd shutout in the NHL, and first against the Sabres. He tied for the League lead with six shutouts last season.

New York found its rhythm under new coach Mike Sullivan, shutting down Buffalo and earning a key early-season win.

Igor Shesterkin, the Russian goalkeeper of the New York Rangers, was recognized as the first star of the game day in the National Hockey League (NHL) after playing in the match against Buffalo. This is reported on the league's website.

Despite rebounding well from a slow first period and trailing by just one goal for most of the night, the Sabres couldn’t break through against one of the best in the business, Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin. Buffalo got 37 shots on the former Vezina Trophy winner and outshot New York 26-17 over the final 40 minutes.

The Rangers begin the 2025-26 NHL season with a showdown against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The game is rife with narratives, but the most notable storyline is that the contest will pit Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan against his former team right out of the gate.

NHL season at home without goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as they host the New York Rangers (0-1-0) at KeyBank Center on Thursday night.

Kenan Thompson hosted the 2022 NHL Awards ceremony from Tampa Bay, where Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Lightning and Avalanche will be played on Wednesday. Five of the biggest individual honors for the regular season were awarded, including ...