Igor Shesterkin turned aside 37 shots as the Rangers opened the season with a 4-0 win in Buffalo, with Alex Lafrenière’s early goal proving decisive. New York finally found secondary scoring late, as J.T. Miller, Carson Soucy and Adam Fox added goals in the final 5:14 to seal it. The coach change in New York paid off on night one, and the club’s defense looked stingy behind Shesterkin’s standout performance.

Buffalo, beset by injuries and an IR-limited lineup, was shut out despite 29 saves from Alex Lyon. Luukkonen is out, Power/Kesselring/Benson were unavailable, and the Sabres must weather the early schedule until Luukkonen returns. Rangers head to Pittsburgh next, while Buffalo visits Boston. Shesterkin’s 22nd career shutout signals a strong baseline for fantasy managers this season.