The Buffalo Sabres opened their highly anticipated 2025-26 season with a disappointing 4-0 loss, marking the fifth time in 55 seasons and the second at their home ground, to begin the new season and a chance to set the tone. Unfortunately, it was not the ideal start they had hoped for.
Buffalo’s netminder Alex Lyon finished with 29 saves. Lyon did well in his debut as a Sabre, despite not having much help in front of him. He was an offseason free-agent addition, stepping up in the absence of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who was on IR due to a lower-body injury.
New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin stopped 37 shots, and Alex Lafreniere opened the scoring at 11:43 of the first period by being set up at the right post, where he slipped the puck into the crease. Lafreniere then out-muscled defenseman Jacob Bryson and then swept the puck into the open side.
Sabres center Josh Norris did not return after sustaining an upper-body injury during a faceoff with under five minutes left. Norris has a history of shoulder issues, finishing last season with an oblique injury after being acquired by Buffalo in a trade with Ottawa.
Buffalo was also without defensemen Owen Power, Michael Kesserling, and forward Zach Benson, who took a puck off the cheek in practice on Wednesday. Rangers forward Vincent Trochek did not return after he sustained an upper-body injury in the second period.
The Sabres will head to Boston for a 7:00 pm game against the Bruins on Saturday. They will be another formidable opponent and a chance for Buffalo to right the ship.
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