The New York Rangers opened up the 2025-26 National Hockey League season on ESPN with a 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins which spoiled Mike Sullivan's debut as the team's new head coach. Tonight the Blueshirts head up the New York State thruway to take on the Buffalo Sabres, and the hope is that they rebound and spoil their opponent's home opener.
When: 7:00 p.m.
Where: KeyBank Center
TV: MSG
Radio: ESPN New York, 98.7 FM
Projected Lineups
New York Rangers
Will Cuylle -- J.T. Miller -- Mika Zibanejad
Artemi Panarin -- Vincent Trocheck -- Alexis Lafrenière
Conor Sheary -- Noah Laba -- Taylor Raddysh
Adam Edstrom -- Sam Carrick -- Matt Rempe
Vladislav Gavrikov -- Adam Fox
Carson Soucy -- Will Borgen
Urho Vaakanainen -- Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin
Buffalo Sabres
Zach Benson -- Josh Norris -- Tage Thompson
Jason Zucker -- Jiri Kulich -- Alex Tuch
Jack Quinn -- Ryan McLeod -- Josh Doan
Beck Malenstyn -- Peyton Krebs -- Justin Danforth
Bowen Byram -- Rasmus Dahlin
Mattias Samuelsson -- Conor Timmins
Ryan Johnson -- Owen Power
Alex Lyon
Players to Watch
J.T. Miller
The Rangers' new captain logged 18:18 vs. the Penguins, blocked a shot, registered a hit, and failed to record a shot on goal. He wasn't moving very well up and down the ice, and it looked like he was playing with an injured groin. If he's compromised, there's no shame in sitting out. But if Miller is going to dress, he needs to find a way to have a positive impact for the team.
Vincent Trocheck
Trocheck logged the second most minutes among skaters in the season opener at 20:32, and was on the ice for all three goals against. He also failed to register a shot on goal, and his long contributions on the stat sheet were a block and a hit. Trocheck had a down 2024-25 season after being a integral part of the 2023-24 Blueshirts offense. He has the ability to be a difference maker, and tonight's an opportunity to bounce back.
Adam Fox
Fox had a rough season opener, and Thursday's tilt vs. the Sabres is a chance to turn the page. He logged 22:25 across 28 shifts, had one shot on goal, one block, two hits, three giveaways, and four takeaways. He also posted a CF% of 30.5, and an xGF% of 18.49. To be clear, these results are from one game, and we don't want to get too worked up about it. But Fox faced a lot of criticism, some of which wasn't warranted last season, and it is important for him to have a strong start to the season if he's serious about playing a role for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics.