Igor Shesterkin takes next step in return from injury for Rangers
Igor Shesterkin was back on the ice practicing with the New York Rangers on Wednesday but it remains unknown if the 29-year-old goalie will be ready to play when they visit the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
Shesterkin was sidelined right before the 4 Nations Face-Off break with an upper-body injury sustained in a 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 7. When the Rangers reconvened for practice Tuesday, Shesterkin skated on his own and coach Peter Laviolette stated he was day to day.
A day later, Shesterkin took part in the first 30 minutes of practice before he left the ice, which was pre planned. Dylan Garand, called up from Hartford of the American Hockey League on Tuesday, took over Shesterkin’s net and finished practice with Jonathan Quick working the other end of the rink.
Shesterkin was expected to miss 1-2 weeks because of this latest injury. Friday marks two weeks since he was hurt.
The Rangers play back-to-back games this weekend, traveling from Buffalo to Pittsburgh for a Sunday matinee against the Penguins on Sunday. They visit the Islanders at UBS Arena on Tuesday, making it three games in four days coming out of the break.
Shesterkin is 18-19-2 in 39 games this season with a 2.87 goals-against average, .906 save percentage and three shutouts. Though he’s had dominant stretches, Shesterkin also has struggled at times behind a leaky defense. He’s allowed four or more goals 13 times this season.
Rangers coach decides to ‘avoid that question’ regarding key prospect Brennan Othmann
Brennan Othmann — photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
Since there are still four Rangers at the 4 Nations Face-Off and two who just returned, several Hartford players took part in practice Wednesday. None were officially recalled, unlike Garand, who was brought up Tuesday.
Taking part in the up-tempo practice were forwards Brennan Othmann, Brett Berard, Jake Leschyshyn and defenseman Matthew Robertson.
Berard played 19 games earlier this season with the Rangers and totaled the first seven points (three goals, four assists) of his NHL career. At least some of those games might have gone to Othmann, but the 2021 first-round pick missed more than two months this season with an upper-body injury sustained Oct. 19 in Hartford’s third game.
Othmann returned Dec. 27 but has really found his stride the past few weeks. The 22-year-old power forward has nine goals in the past 11 games, including a pair of two-goal games in his past three contests.
So, might the Rangers give him a look during their stretch run?
“I’m going to avoid that question and just stay away from it,” Laviolette said, mentioning that it’s not fair to the three other Hartford players who also practiced with the Rangers on Wednesday.
“It’s good that he’s back and that he’s healthy and that now he’s contributing and scoring goals. I think all that are good signs and good steps for him.”
Laviolette summed up any future recalls by saying, “at some point there’s a chance we might need somebody and we’ll take the player that’s playing well at that time.”
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