The New York Rangers could find themselves 0-2 to start the season, at least according to EA Sports.
According to NHL 26, the Buffalo Sabres are projected to emerge with a 3–1 victory tonight against the New York Rangers. J.T. Miller scored the lone goal for the Rangers, while Will Cuylle and Vladislav Gavrikov each earned an assist. Igor Shesterkin turned aside 34 shots in net.
For Buffalo, Alex Tuch, Rasmus Dahlin, and Jack Quinn lit the lamp, with Jason Zucker and Ryan McLeod registering assists. Goaltender Alex Lyon was sharp, stopping 15 of 16 shots. Keep in mind this is just a simulation, but it's worth going into the specifics of the action.
First Period
Miller got off the game’s first shot but was knocked off balance by Bowen Byram, tumbling to his knees yet continuing the play. Shortly after, the Rangers cycled the puck effectively, culminating in Borgen firing a wrist shot from the right circle, only to be denied by Lyon’s glove.
The first penalty came around the seven-minute mark when Zucker cross-checked Braden Schneider in the lower back, putting the Rangers on the power play. Miller found Fox in the slot, but Lyon made a spectacular save, leaving Fox staring skyward in disbelief.
Buffalo struck late in the frame on a fortuitous play: Zucker’s slap shot from the offensive zone deflected off Shesterkin and landed at Tuch’s stick at the back door, allowing him an easy tap-in for a 1–0 Sabres lead.
Second Period
The Rangers struggled to gain traction as Buffalo dominated puck possession. By the 10-minute mark, the Sabres had outshot New York 21–7.
Moments later, Miller rescued his team, scooping up a loose puck in front of the net and firing it past Lyon to tie the game 1–1. Shesterkin remained pivotal, stopping Dahlin’s one-timer from the blue line in the closing moments of the period.
Third Period
Early in the final frame, Trocheck created a 2-on-1 chance, but Lyon’s glove denied him. Buffalo capitalized on a costly New York turnover at center ice: Dahlin seized the loose puck, skated in, and went forehand to backhand to beat a sprawling Shesterkin, giving Buffalo a 2–1 lead with just under six minutes remaining.
The Rangers pulled Shesterkin for the extra attacker with 30 seconds left, but Miller’s interference penalty hindered the final push, allowing Quinn to score an empty-net power play goal, sealing a 3–1 Sabres victory.
Takeaways
Shesterkin performed admirably, but when a team is consistently outhustled and outmaneuvered, defensive lapses are inevitable. The Sabres controlled the pace, and the simulation reflects their superior execution.
What’s Next?
Hopefully, the real season offers a better start for New York. The Rangers face the Sabres again tonight at KeyBank Center, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. local time.