Conor Sheary scored two goals and Carter Hutton made 43 saves as the Buffalo Sabres beat the New York Rangers 3-1 on Saturday night for their first victory of the season.
Captain Jack Eichel added an empty-net goal in the final seconds for Buffalo. After being booed by their home fans in a shutout loss to Boston in Thursday's opener, the Sabres (1-1-0) snapped a six-game losing streak at KeyBank Center dating to last season.
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Buffalo Sabres forward Patrik Berglund (10) and New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad (93) take a face off during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Buffalo N.Y. (AP PhotoJeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Nathan Beaulieu (82) and New York Rangers forward Cody McLeod (8) fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Buffalo N.Y. (AP PhotoJeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres goalie Carter Hutton (40) stops New York Rangers forward Jimmy Vesey (27) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Buffalo N.Y. (AP PhotoJeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres forward Conor Sheary (43) puts the puck past New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Buffalo N.Y. (AP PhotoJeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres forward Remi Elie (81) lines up for a face off during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Buffalo N.Y. (AP PhotoJeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe (19) and New York Rangers forward Brett Howden (21) battle for position during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Buffalo N.Y. (AP PhotoJeffrey T. Barnes)
Brett Howden scored off a rebound with 4:39 remaining in the game for the Rangers, who started a two-game trip by falling to 0-2 under first-year coach David Quinn.
Buffalo Sabres forward Patrik Berglund (10) and New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad (93) take a face off during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Buffalo N.Y. (AP PhotoJeffrey T. Barnes)
Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves for New York. The Rangers outshot the Sabres in all three periods and finished with a 44-29 advantage in shots on goal.
Hutton, who led the NHL in save percentage and goals-against average as a backup in St. Louis last season, drew a standing ovation during his first win as the Sabres' starter when made a sliding save against Howden on a three-man breakaway in the second period. Hutton held up against 14 shots (six on power plays) while the Rangers controlled the action for most of the first period.
Sheary, acquired in an offseason trade with Pittsburgh, scored both of his goals on power plays and played on the Sabres' top line. The former linemate of Sidney Crosby was moved up from Buffalo's second group of forwards in the third period of the 4-0 opening loss to Boston.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Nathan Beaulieu (82) and New York Rangers forward Cody McLeod (8) fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Buffalo N.Y. (AP PhotoJeffrey T. Barnes)
Sheary skated off the bench to score Buffalo's first goal of the season with 6:45 left in the first period. Rasmus Ristolainen set up Sheary's wrist shot from the left circle on a 2-on-1 rush.
Replays showed the Sabres had six men on the ice when Casey Mittlestadt created the scoring chance with a backhand pass from the right board to Ristolainen.
Sabres captain Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart pinged the puck to Sheary for his second goal from the right side of the net 1:42 into the second period.
Buffalo Sabres goalie Carter Hutton (40) stops New York Rangers forward Jimmy Vesey (27) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Buffalo N.Y. (AP PhotoJeffrey T. Barnes)
NOTES: Sheary's last multi-goal game came in a Penguins win over the Sabres on Nov. 14, 2017. ... F Remi Elie made his Sabres debut after being claimed off waivers from Dallas on Thursday. Elie replaced Vladimir Sobotka, who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury sustained during the season-opening loss to Boston. ... Rangers F Cody McLeod entered the lineup in place of Vladislav Namestnikov (healthy scratch). ... Eichel played for Quinn during his lone season at Boston University in 2014-15. ... Hutton is now 4-0-0 against the Rangers.
UP NEXT
Rangers: Conclude a back-to-back at Carolina on Sunday. Backup goaltender Alexandar Georgiev will get the start.
Buffalo Sabres forward Conor Sheary (43) puts the puck past New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Buffalo N.Y. (AP PhotoJeffrey T. Barnes)
Sabres: Continue their four-game homestand with a matinee against Las Vegas on Monday.
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Buffalo Sabres forward Remi Elie (81) lines up for a face off during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Buffalo N.Y. (AP PhotoJeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe (19) and New York Rangers forward Brett Howden (21) battle for position during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Buffalo N.Y. (AP PhotoJeffrey T. Barnes)
No. 10 Miami needs everything at its disposal to slow down top-seeded Indiana's high-scoring offense in next week's College Football Playoff championship.
The good news is that the Hurricanes' defense should be at, or near, full strength.
Coach Mario Cristobal told reporters Monday he expects defensive linemen Ahkeem Mesidor and Ahmad Moten, as well as cornerback OJ Frederique, to be ready to play in next week's title game.
Mesidor and Moten were both injured during last week's dramatic 31-27 victory, but later returned. Frederique was injured during Miami's surprising 24-14 Cotton Bowl victory over No. 2 Ohio State and did not play in the Fiesta Bowl. Now, it appears all three will be there to try and help derail the Hoosiers attempt to become the first 16-0 college team since the 1890s.
“I believe we're coming out a lot like we went into the last game,” Cristobal said. “I know a couple guys came out of the game. Mesidor is in great condition. He hurt his elbow for a second and he's already full throttle. Ahmad Moten was full throttle today. I know O.J. came out. (Tight end Elija) Lofton will be the one that's in question. But aside from that, I feel really good about the rest. I would say OJ is good to go and (cornerback Damari) Brown is probably day by day.”
The Hurricanes (13-2, No. 10 CFP) may need every one of them against an Indiana team that is averaging 47.0 points in two blowout playoff wins.
Defensively, the Hoosiers (15-0, No. 1) have been equally efficient, holding their last three opponents — Ohio State, No. 9 Alabama and No. 5 Oregon — to a combined total of just 35 points.
And coach Curt Cignetti acknowledged that aside from losing key defensive lineman Stephen Daley to a right leg injury suffered in the postgame celebration following Indiana's Big Ten championship game victory over the Buckeyes, he expects to have all of his key players on the field next week.
“We came out really good, and everybody that played in the last game will play in this game,” Cignetti said.
Cignetti enters the championship game with a head coaching resume any colleague would want. He's posted 14 straight winning seasons, never had a losing season, celebrated conference championships and deep playoff runs. But there's one line still missing — the same line Cristobal happens to be missing.
Each is one win away from capturing their first national championship.
Naturally, though, neither wants their players pressing as they take college football's biggest stage.
“We've got to prepare for this game no different than we prepared for Ohio State, Alabama,” Cignetti said as the Hoosiers play for their first national title. “The biggest mistake our guys can make, and I'll talk to them tonight in the team meeting about this, is making the game bigger than it is. Going down that road would be detrimental to our preparation and performance. This week is no different than any other week, we have to be on point.”
Cristobal echoed those sentiments, though the Hurricanes face one additional pressure point — they'll be the first CFP to play the title game in their home stadium.
“The only thing that changes is that classes have started, and we have 28, 29 of the 30 new members of our team here practicing with us, which is great for us,” he said. “Aside from that, nothing changes.”
With Corey Hetherman's first season as Miami defensive coordinator nears its end, the Hurricanes seem to be playing some of their best football. They allowed 20 or fewer points in the last seven games prior to the Ole Miss game.
Cignetti isn't surprised.
Hetherman served as his defensive coordinator from 2019-21 at James Madison. When Hetherman departed, Cignetti promoted Bryant Haines to defensive coordinator, and he has served in that capacity each of the past four seasons for Cignetti.
So Cignetti has some notion of what to expect next Monday.
“We've evolved offensively, the terminology has changed. We do things differently, but his scheme has (changed), too,” Cignetti. “Philosophically, in terms, of what we think is important, him and I, that hasn't changed. He's going to create havoc up front, stop the run, tackles for losses, sacks. They've got 47 sacks on the year, and he's going to attack."
Cignetti used the transfer portal to fuel Indiana's success in 2024 and again in 2025 with the additions of players such as Daley, Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and starting center Pat Coogan — each of whom has played a key role in this season's success.
But Cignetti said he wants to become less reliant on the transfer portal in the years ahead. In fact, he insists that transition has already started.
“I knew we had to flip the roster (last year)," Cignetti said. “And every year as your high school recruiting builds up, you kind of start to wean down a little bit from the portal. You'll never be at a point where you don't engage with the portal, but this year we'll take a few less than we took last year and last year we took a few less than we did the year before.”
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CORRECTS TO MISSISSIPPI HEAD COACH PETE GOLDING NOT MISSISSIPPI HEAD COACH MARIO CRISTOBAL - Mississippi head coach Pete Golding, center, greets Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, right, after the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal game, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Miami safety Zechariah Poyser (7) and defensive back Ethan O'Connor (24) break up a pass intended for Mississippi wide receiver De'zhaun Stribling (1) during the second half the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal game, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore (1) carries against Indiana linebacker Rolijah Hardy (21) during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) kisses the trophy after the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal against Oregon, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti holds up the trophy after the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal against Oregon, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
