NHL roundup: Rangers rout Sabres, win Peter Laviolette's debut

Chris Kreider scored twice and added an assist as the New York Rangers cruised to a 5-1 rout of the host Buffalo Sabres on Thursday to win the debut of new coach Peter Laviolette.

Kreider scored a power-play goal in the first period and added a short-handed goal in the third before getting an assist on Jacob Trouba's empty-net tally. Kreider now has eight short-handed goals since 2021-22, most in the NHL.

Artemi Panarin had a goal and an assist and Alexis Lafreniere added another goal to help Laviolette get a win after spending the previous three seasons at the helm of the Washington Capitals. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 24 saves and earned his 100th career victory since making his debut for New York in the 2019-2020 season (159 games).

Mika Zibanejad added three assists and defenseman Adam Fox registered his 200th career assist. JJ Peterka scored for the Sabres, who missed the playoffs by one point last season and are hoping to avoid missing the postseason for a 13th straight campaign. Buffalo goalie Devon Levi made his eighth career start and allowed four goals on 30 shots.

Stars 2, Blues 1 (SO)

Jake Oettinger made 23 saves as Dallas earned a shootout victory over visiting St. Louis in the season opener for both teams.

Jamie Benn scored the regulation goal for the Stars, and Jason Robertson and Matt Duchene converted in the shootout.

Defenseman Tyler Tucker scored for the Blues, and goaltender Jordan Binnington stopped 33 of 34 shots. Brayden Schenn had St. Louis' only successful attempt in the shootout, with Jordan Kyrou's failed attempt ending the tiebreaker.

Wild 2, Panthers 0

Goaltender Filip Gustavsson stopped all 41 shots he faced and Minnesota held on for a win over Florida in the season opener for both teams in