Igor Shesterkin has a glovely game as Rangers beat Hurricanes
The Rangers are riding the red-hot Czar of NY, Igor Shesterkin. As the final buzzer went off, New York find themselves just 4 points out of the last wild card spot. If the Islanders go on to beat Detroit then it will be 5.
From Russia with Glove
Igor Shesterkin has now improved his record to 8-1 on the season and the Rangers up their record to 32-24-4. From the onset the Rangers new number 1 was big in net and set the tone that beating him would take an extraordinary effort. The Canes would find the back of the net twice, once off a lucky bounce, but it was a series of early saves that was topped by an amazing glove snatch off a deflection that would foreshadow Carolina’s fate. When it was all said and done, the Czar stopped 27 shots.
Most Valuable Breadman
The Rangers would tally 5 times tonight. Mika Zibanejad opened the scoring with a beautiful breakaway that made sure those early Shesterkin saves would get into the minds of the Canes.
Puck luck also played a role for the team tonight as both Jesper Fast and Brady Skjei scored goals off the skates of Carolina defensemen. However, the dagger in the hearts of every Cane on the ice came when Panarin scored a PP goal to make it 4-1. That was his 31st goal on the year tying his career high. Panarin also had an assist and now has 82 points on the year. If the Rangers make the playoffs, he may be a shoe-in for the Hart Trophy.
Ryan Strome would seal it with an empty netter, and the moms’ on the trip celebrated as their sons skated off victoriously. The only negative is Filip Chytil got banged up and is day to day at the moment. Tony DeAngelo also took a charge near the end and he looked like his shoulder was in some discomfort.
Post-Game Notes:
- NY Rangers extend their road winning streak to seven games and have outscored their opponents, 26-12, over that span. The Blueshirts’ seven-game road winning streak is tied for the longest in franchise history.
- The Blueshirts have earned a win in 12 of their last 15 games against Metropolitan Division opponents (12-3-0 record) and have posted a 12-5-0 record against teams in the Metropolitan Division this season. Following tonight’s game, 11 of the Blueshirts’ final 22 regular-season games in 2019-20 are against teams in the Metropolitan Division.
- Artemi Panarin recorded two points (one goal, one assist), including his 50th assist and 80th point of the season, as well as his 400th career NHL point. He also extended his point streak to eight games (four goals, five assists), and he has tallied a goal in each of the last two games. Panarin recorded his 31st goal of the season in tonight’s contest, tying his career-high (he also registered 31 goals in 2016-17). Panarin has tallied a point in 29 of the Rangers’ 32 wins this season, including a goal in 19 of the 32 wins. As of the conclusion of tonight’s game, Panarin leads the NHL in even strength points (61) and even strength assists (37) this season.
- Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves to earn his eighth career NHL win in his ninth career NHL appearance and extend his winning/point streak to six games. Shesterkin is the first goaltender in Rangers history who has earned a win in eight of his first nine career NHL appearances.
Notes courtesy of the New York Rangers
Next game tomorrow at MSG against the SJ Sharks at 7 PM.
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