Sullivan earns first Rangers win as Lafreniere nets game-winner

Igor Shesterkin stopped 37 shots and Alex Lafreniere’s first-period goal held up as the game-winner as the New York Rangers beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-0 in Buffalo on Thursday night, handing new coach Mike Sullivan his first victory with the club. The win came in the Sabres’ home opener and followed New York’s 3-0 loss to Pittsburgh earlier in the week.

Shesterkin recorded his 22nd career shutout, a bounce-back performance after facing 29 shots and allowing one goal in the season opener. Defensemen Carson Soucy and Adam Fox and captain J.T. Miller added late goals to extend the margin over the final five minutes and 14 seconds. Goaltender Alex Lyon made 29 saves for Buffalo.

Lafreniere opened the scoring 11 minutes, 43 seconds into the first period when he was set up at the right post and slipped the puck into the crease. He finished the play by outmuscling a defender and sweeping the puck into the open side. The goal marked another early-season highlight for the former top draft pick, who now has multiple game-winning goals against Buffalo in his young career.

The game marked an early milestone for Sullivan, who was hired this offseason after being dismissed in Pittsburgh...