David Quinn announces end to Rangers 3-Headed monster, long live the Czar
Rangers head coach David Quinn has seen enough. Last night after Igor Shesterkin improved his record to 5-1 with a 40 plus save performance he announced an end to the 3 goalie rotation. Going forward, he will be play the hot goalie and in essence that should make the Czar Tuesday’s starter against Winnipeg. That will also be his first road start of his NHL career.
Prediction Realized
On January 29th, after the All Star Break we wrote after Igor’s call up that it was time to make him #1.
The trade deadline is less than a month away, but in reality the playoffs are even further. When it comes to the future, the time is here to make Shesterkin the team’s number one. Of course they need to play Alexander Georgiev in order to get maximum value in a trade. Which means Henrik Lundqvist will be relegated as a backup and locker room leader until that trade happens.
Forever Blueshirts
Now with just 2 weeks before the deadline the Rangers are going for the playoffs with the goalie of the future, today. With 7 games and 9 points out of a wildcard spot, the time is now to see if they can make a run. Even if they do, it is unlikely they can leapfrog a handful of teams into the playoffs before the 3 PM deadline on Monday, February 24th. So trades are coming.
The Czar and his court
Shesterkin’s numbers are undeniable as he’s stopped 196 shots out of 210 for a .933 SV%. These numbers are not new since he’s dominated everywhere he’s played. Igor been victorious in 101 of his 126 appearances in the KHL, AHL, and NHL combined. In essence, he’s earned it and David Quinn even said that the kid has got it. What is “it”? Swagger…it’s a big thing in the coach’s vocabulary.
As for Alexandar Georgiev and Henrik Lundqvist, I maintain that the next two weeks will be telling. Ultimately, I think the Rangers become more reasonable and move Georgiev at the deadline and allow Henrik to finish his career as a Ranger mentoring the future.
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