Shesterkin stops 37 shots, Sullivan gets 1st win as Rangers' coach in 4-0 victory over Sabres

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Igor Shesterkin stopped 37 shots and Alex Lafreniere’s first-period goal stood up as the winner in the New York Rangers’ 4-0 victory over the Sabres in Buffalo’s season-opener Thursday night.

Mike Sullivan earned his first win as Rangers coach, and the 480th of his career. Fired after 10 seasons in Pittsburgh last spring, the two-time Stanley Cup-winner took over in New York after Peter Laviolette was fired in April.

Newly named captain J.T. Miller and defensemen Carson Soucy and Adam Fox sealed the win by scoring a goal each over the final 5:14.

Shesterkin’s shutout was the 22nd of his career, and followed a 28-save outing, in which he allowed just one goal in a season-opening 3-0 loss to Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.

Buffalo’s Alex Lyon finished with 29 saves. The offseason free-agent addition got the start with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on IR due to a lower body injury.

The Sabres were shut out in their season-opener for just the fifth time in 55 seasons, and only second time at home.

Lafreniere, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft, now counts four career game-winning goals against Buffalo.

He opened the scoring 11:43 in by being set up at the right post, where he slipped the puck into the crease. Lafreniere then out-muscled defenseman Jacob Bryson and used his long reach to sweep 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, and closed last season with an oblique injury after being acquired by Buffalo in a trade with Ottawa.

Buffalo was also without defensemen Owen Power (illness) and 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 sustaining an upper-body injury in the second period.

Rangers: At Pittsburgh on Saturday night.

Sabres: At Boston on Saturday night.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafreniere, left, celebrates with center Vincent Trocheck (16) after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson, second from right, is held by New York Rangers left wing Will Cuylle (50) as players scuffle after the whistle during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin, left, and Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker reach for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin, left, reaches for a loose puck as defenseman Will Borgen, top left, and center Noah Laba, right, shield Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama returned from a first-quarter injury scare to score 22 points and grab 10 rebounds and lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 119-101 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.

Stephon Castle added 19 points and 10 assists and Julian Champagnie had 13 points and 11 rebounds for San Antonio. The Spurs led by 39 points early in the fourth quarter.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 21 points as Milwaukee suffered its third straight loss.

It was the Bucks' second straight lopsided loss after being booed at home during a 139-106 setback to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.

Wembanyama startled the sellout crowd at the Frost Bank Center and it had nothing to do with his freshly shaved scalp.

He returned to the court after making knee-to-knee contact with Antetokounmpo's left leg under the Bucks basket with 9:18 remaining in the first quarter. Wembanyama dropped to the court in pain before rising and hobbling unassisted in a half sprint toward the locker room.

The 7-foot-4 center from France suffered a hyperextended knee on Dec. 31 in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks in a similar play. He returned to watch from the bench on New Year's Eve but missed the next two games.

Wembanyama returned to the bench at the close of the first quarter Thursday, but this time he went back on the court to start the second quarter.

Wembanyama had 11 points, six rebounds and a blocked shot while playing 12 minutes, 27 seconds in the second quarter.

San Antonio outscored Milwaukee 35-26 during the second quarter in taking a 66-53 lead at the half. The lead expanded to 37 points in the third quarter as both teams sat their starters to open the fourth.

Kyle Kuzma had 18 points and Bobby Portis added 13 points for the Bucks.

Bucks: At Atlanta on Monday night.

Spurs: Host Minnesota on Saturday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) scores past San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) and forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) and guard Ryan Rollins, second from right, battle San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet, left, and guard De'aaron Fox, right, for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is blocked as he drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) scores over Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, left, drives against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)