Daily Report – 10/10/15
Rangers
Last night in Western New York, the Rangers did the best thing a team can do after getting shut out: They recorded a shutout of their own, beating the Buffalo Sabres 4-0.
Powered by Igor Shesterkin’s illustrious net-minding, in which he made 37 saves, the Rangers got their first win of the season, and Mike Sullivan’s first as head coach. Despite getting outshot 37-33, the Rangers generated more scoring chances than Buffalo while killing all four penalties they received.
The Rangers had trouble beating the Sabres last year, posting a 1-2-0 record against them. Buffalo has been at the bottom of the NHL’s proverbial barrel for the last decade and a half, and they haven’t made the playoffs since 2011. Nonetheless, a game that would have trapped the Rangers last year gave them the perfect opportunity to start scoring goals.
Alexis Lafrenière scored the Rangers’ first goal of the season, snaking his stick between goaltender Alex Lyon’s skate and the post to maneuver the puck through the net. The goal was the 93rd of Lafrenière’s career, tying Alex Kovalev for the fourth most in New York Rangers history among players younger than 24.
The Rangers didn’t score again until the second period, as Carson Soucy fired a wrist shot from the left circle. Then, they quickly netted another tally as JT Miller deflected Braden Schneider’s shot past the goal line.
Meanwhile, Shesterkin put up a masterclass in the Rangers’ net, diving up and down, and sliding left and right to make save after save. “We obviously had way more energy to start,” said head coach Mike Sullivan. “Just from an energy standpoint, a lot of the guys, I think, felt a whole lot better physically, for whatever reason. I think that’s where it started.”
JT Miller and Artemi Panarin suffered injuries during training camp, so they didn’t get much preseason action. That affected them on Tuesday night, but they looked much better yesterday. However, the Rangers received some troubling news regarding Vincent Trocheck, who left the second period with an undisclosed upper-body injury. Trocheck doesn’t often exit games with injuries, so this development is concerning. He was seen wearing a full face shield throughout most of training camp, and in each of the two games he’s played this season.
“We lost [Trocheck] early, and everybody kind of digs in there,” Sullivan said. “And obviously, [Shesterkin] made some huge saves for us when we needed it.”
Shesterkin’s shutout win was the 22nd of his career, which gives him the eighth most shutouts in Rangers history, and his 22 shutouts since 2020-21 are tied for the second most in the NHL. The star goaltender’s busiest frame was the second period, as he stopped 14 shots on goal, due in part to four penalties his teammates took throughout the period.
While it’s always fun to see Shesterkin dominate in the net, the Rangers are still searching for a way to play more consistent defense and allow fewer shots. They were never able to fix that problem last year, and they won’t be able to beat top-tier teams this season if they don’t improve defensively.
“[Our game] wasn’t perfect by any stretch,” said Sullivan. “Buffalo has a dynamic offense, and they’re not easy to handle.”
The Rangers were lucky to escape the second period unscathed. They were lucky Igor was Igor. Because, for them to have a successful centennial campaign, they must clean up their defense.
Schedule
Saturday 10/11:
7:00 PM (6:00 PM CDT): NYR at PIT; MSG
Sunday 10/12:
9:00 AM (8:00 AM CDT): 2025 NFL London Games – Denver Broncos (3-2) vs. New York Jets (0-5); NFLN, NBC4 (WNBC)
7:00 PM (6:00 PM CDDT): NYR vs. WSH; MSG
8:20 PM (7:20 PM CDT): Sunday Night Football (SNF), Week 6 – Detroit Lions (4-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-3); NBC, Peacock
7:00 PM (6:00 PM CDT): Football Night in America (FNIA); NBC
8:00 PM (7:00 PM CDT): Hyundai Sunday Night Kickoff; NBC, Peacock
8:10 PM (7:10 PM CDT): GEICO Sunday Night Anthem; NBC, Peacock
