Alexandar Georgiev outduels Igor Shesterkin aș Avs beat Rangers 3-2 in shootout
It was all about the bounce back for the New York Rangers after a terrible third period against the Sharks followed by a dud against the Blue Jackets.
All that stood in their way of that redemption were the Colorado Avalanche and former Blueshirts’ netminder Alexandar Georgiev.
Recap: Avalanche 3 vs Rangers 2 (SO)
1st Period
The two teams came out flying, which was expected with the offensive talent on both sides.
First, it was Panarin along with his linemates getting a great chance stopped by Alexandar Georgiev. And then it was Igor Shesterkin stopping MacKinnon from in tight, as the teams would exchange chance all night.
The Avs got on the board first thanks to a power play goal with Kaapo Kakko off for hooking. Valeri Nichushkin was untouched in front of the net and tipped a Cale Makar shot by Shesterkin 11:40 into the game.
Colorado went on to outshoot the Blueshirts in the period by an 18-11 margin on the strength of two power plays. However, an interference penalty by former Ranger Dryden Hunt at the buzzer would give the Rangers the man advantage to start the middle frame.
2nd Period
The Avs were able to kill off the penalty as the Rangers continued to be frustrated by Georgiev’s goaltending.
On the other end, Shesterkin was equally as sharp including a huge stop on a Mikko Rantanen breakaway. Jacob Trouba was called for a hook on the play, but the Rangers PK did not even allow a shot.
The Rangers would not relent and eventually caught the Avs on a long shift. Sammy Blais started the play finding Trouba for an odd-man rush that ended with Barclay Goodrow tying the game with 1:54 remaining.
“I probably should’ve shot it,” Trouba said with a laugh to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan. “Glad I could find Goody and he put it in.”
That goal gave the Rangers even more jump as Josh Manson held Panarin to give the Blueshirts their third power play at 19:24.
3rd Period
Less than a minute into the third period, an uncharacteristic play by Shesterkin stunned the crowd. A strong forecheck by Andrew Cogliano forced Shesterkin to mishandle the puck and turn it over. That led to a Logan O’Connor shorthanded at 59 seconds.
The air went out of the building but the Rangers dug in their heels to go after the equalizer.
It took them 13 minutes and a handful of outrageous Shesterkin stops but Adam Fox buried a beautiful feed by Jimmy Vesey to knot it a two apiece. Goodrow would pick up the other assist.
Both teams would earn a point as they fired 84 shots at one another in regulation.
OT and Shootout
The Rangers and Avs went at in OT until Panarin pounced on a loose puck and was hooked by MacKinnon on a partial breakaway. Unfortunately the Rangers could not score on the ensuing man advantage, something they would ultimately regret going 0-4 on the night.
In the shootout, the Avs went first with MacKinnon shooting over the net.
Kaapo Kakko shot first for the Rangers and was stopped by Georgiev looking to go five-hole.
Cale Makar used his speed to try and go backhand over Shesterkin’s blocker which he stopped.
Mika Zibanejad had his attempt turned aside by Georgiev.
Andrew Cogliano opted to just shoot it over Shesterkin’s glove to give the Avs the edge.
Artemi Panarin made an incredible deke to beat Georgiev to keep the game alive.
Evan Rodrigues followed that up with a great move of his own for the advantage.
The game would end with Alexis Lafreniere getting stuffed by a Georgiev pad to win it.
Notable Rangers
- Igor Shesterkin made his 100th career start stopping 42 of 44 shots
- Sammy Blais notched his first point of the season
- Barclay Goodrow had a goal and an assist
Tomorrow (Wednesday, October 26): Gerard Gallant Availability at UBS Arena (5:30 PM ET)
Next Game: Wednesday, October 26 at NY Islanders (7:30 PM ET – TV: TNT)
*Schedule subject to change
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