SHEARY SCORES TWICE IN SABRES’ WIN OVER RANGERS

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.

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.

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.