The New York Rangers suffered a heavy defeat against the Buffalo Sabres, losing 6-1 at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers, coming off a long break, struggled to find their rhythm from the start, with the Sabres scoring just seconds into the game.

In a disastrous second period, the Sabres netted three goals in quick succession, prompting Rangers coach Peter Laviolette to replace goaltender Igor Shesterkin after he allowed five goals on only 12 shots. Laviolette acknowledged the team's over-reliance on Shesterkin, while defenseman Jacob Trouba emphasized the need for improvement.