After the Rangers’ disappointing loss last game versus Buffalo, New York ended its homestand with a Sunday matchup versus the Los Angeles Kings. Igor Shesterkin out battled Jonathan Quick all night and ended up victorious as the Rangers came out winners 4-1. Here is our recap.
Good Start
Greg McKegg would lead off the scoring at 2:23 into the first after Los Angeles goaltender Jonathan Quick turned the puck over. Brett Howden stole it and fed a wide open McKegg to make it 1-0. The Rangers would continue to be aggressive all game through out the first and second periods but we’re held in check by Quick. On the opposite side, Igor Shesterkin was just as good, maybe even better, making key saves to keep it a 1-0 game after two periods.
Exciting Third
New York would finally find the net again at 9:20 of the third period when Filip Chytil fed Kaapo Kakko with a laser and a beauty of a pass to make it 2-0. Not too long after, Trevor Moore would get the Kings on the board, with a goal of his own at 10:47 of the third.
Artemi Panarin would score on a 2 on 1 on a beauty of a rebound shot by Ryan Strome with 2:48 remaining in the third. Los Angeles would pull the goaltender but was for naught as Tony DeAngelo would score an empty better not too long after to make it a 4-1 game with 2:11 remaining.
New York was aggressive and were significantly better in all zones during the game. By not allowing the Kings to force their way around, the Rangers were able to neutralize the Kings and walk out of MSG with a victory. As previously mentioned, Igor Shesterkin was brilliant in net making 42 saves on 43 shots. Jonathan Quick was solid in net for Los Angeles making 36 goals on 41 Rangers shots.
After the game David Quinn was asked about the goalie rotation and his response was somewhat surprising. He said that the team would go with the goalie who is playing well. So with that, it looks like Igor Shesterkin will start again Tuesday against Winnipeg.
Post-Game Notes:
- The Rangers have won four of the last six games (4-2-0 record), six of the last 10 games (6-4-0 record), and eight of the last 13 contests (8-5-0 record). The Blueshirts have also earned at least one point in 20 of the last 34 games.
- Kaapo Kakko recorded the game-winning goal, tied for the game-high with two takeaways, registered two shots on goal, and tied a single-game career-high with a plus-two rating. Kakko registered his eighth career goal, which is tied for the most by an 18-year-old in Rangers history (tied with Manny Malhotra). In addition, he has tallied 19 career points, which are the most by an 18-year-old in franchise history.
- Igor Shesterkin made 42 saves to earn his fifth career NHL win while making his sixth career NHL appearance. He has stopped 196 of 210 shots in his six career NHL appearances (.933 SV%), including 194 of the last 206 shots (.942 SV% over the span). According to NHL Stats and Information, Shesterkin is the first goaltender in Rangers history who has had multiple 40-save games within his first six career NHL games, and he is the also the only goaltender in Rangers history who has had at least two 40-save wins through his first six career NHL appearances.
Next game: New York heads out to Winnipeg on Tuesday to take on the Jets at 8PM.
Lets Go Rangers!
Notes courtesy of the New York Rangers