New York Rangers streak halted by Connor Hellebuyck’s 50 saves

new york rangers
Feb 20, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck (37) defends the goal as New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (8) and W left wing Kyle Connor (81) play for the puck during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

To a man, almost every member of the New York Rangers threw their hands up in the air and basically said, “stuff happens.”

The team came out flying and had their foot on the gas for 60 minutes. However, Connor Hellebuyck turned aside 50 of the team’s season-high 51 shots as the Winnipeg Jets skated off Garden ice with a 4-1 victory.

Rangers captain Jacob Trouba, who was once Hellebuyck’s teammate in Winnipeg summed it up nicely.

“He played well. We had our chances, good looks, he made a lot of saves,” Trouba said. “Tip your cap. He had a good game– move on.”

That was the team’s first regulation loss since a defeat to the Boston Bruins on January 19. It also snapped a 10 game points streak (8-0-2).

New York Rangers streak stopped cold

new york rangers
Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers shots by period looked as follows:

  • 1st period 20-9
  • 2nd period 12-4
  • 3rd period 19-8

Unfortunately, the score was 2-0 after one, 3-1 after two, and 4-1 by the time it was all over. The lone goal was scored by Vincent Trocheck after a nice feed by Vladimir Tarasenko to break up Hellebuyck’s shutout bid.

“I thought we got tons of chances,” Trocheck said afterwards. “Every once in awhile you run into a goalie who stands on his head. We take away a lot of positives from this game and just move on to the next one.”

It’s hard to argue with Trocheck’s assessment. The only real concern is Igor Shesterkin, who simply does not look the same since the All-Star Break.

In last night’s contest, last season’s Vezina winner only made 17 saves. It also marked the third straight game where he’s allowed four goals.

“I thought he was fine,” Gerard Gallant defended Shesterkin. “The goals he let in, I don’t see many issues with them. First two, there wasn’t much he could do on them. He’s screened and doesn’t see it, gets double tipped. It’s the way it goes some nights.”

The Blueshirts hit the road for two games starting Thursday night against the Detroit Red Wings and Saturday versus the Washington Capitals.

There’s certain games that even when you don’t get the two points, you feel good about the way you played,” Barclay Goodrow explained. “You just chalk it up to not one of our nights.”

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Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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