Rangers get a two goalie shutout against Sharks, Igor Shesterkin leaves with leg injury
The New York Rangers welcomed the San Jose Sharks to Madison Square Garden for the first time since, February of 2022.
Much like that last visit, the Blueshirts came away with a one goal win. However, this time two goalies combined for a shutout as Igor Shesterkin went down with an injury in the third period.
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Recap: Rangers 1 vs Sharks 0
In the first period, the Sharks were the early aggressors as they pressured the Rangers with a strong forecheck. That aggression would cost them when Noah Gregor bumped Igor Shesterkin and knocked him down on an offensive rush 5:15 into the game.
The Rangers power play went to work against the second ranked PK in the NHL and scored 48 seconds into it. Mika Zibanejad got the puck to point where Adam Fox went to work. A little head fake then a pass to Ryan Strome, who opted to blast it instead of passing for a change, blew it by Adin Hill.
“I was just trying to shoot a little more,” Strome said. “I’ve got a tendency to try and look for passes too much. It’s nice to execute that one.”
New York carried the play for a majority of the opening stanza but failed to add to their 1-0 lead.
The second period was a fairly even battle as the shots were 7-6 Sharks. There was a stretch of several minutes midway through the middle frame where the Sharks dominated play. Alexis Lafreniére worked hard to draw a penalty that ended the San Jose momentum.
According to MSG’s John Giannone, during the TV break Gerard Gallant gave his entire team an earful about playing harder.
The period ended with Shesterkin once again standing tall whenever called upon including several great saves on Kevin Labanc to keep the Blueshirts in front.
Disaster struck for the Blueshirts when Shesterkin went down with an injury 5:08 in to the third. On a scrum, Igor dove forward and stretched out to try poking the puck away. That’s when it appeared a lower-body issued occurred despite there being no contact. It was eerily reminiscent of his groin injury last season against the Devils.
“They’re telling me it’s not as bad as it looked,” Gerard Gallant said after the game. “They told me not to worry.” Shesterkin will likely have an MRI with an update to follow this weekend.
Even though Alexandar Georgiev came in cold he seemed eager to get at it. When he was tested immediately, the Garden held their breath as Georgiev kept his cool. He stopped all 8 shots that San Jose sent his way and looked great in the process.
When it was all said and done, the Blueshirts buckled down to put together a great team win. It was also just the second time in the franchise’s history that two net minders combined for a shutout (Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Raanta vs Dallas 12/15/16).
Notable Rangers
- Igor Shesterkin stopped all 19 shots he faced before exiting with injury
- Alexandar Georgiev came in relief and closed it out with 8 saves
- Ryan Strome now has 11 points his last 10 games
- NYR out hit the Sharks 22-14
- NYR PP was 1/3
Tomorrow (Saturday, December 4): Gerard Gallant Availability at 6:00 p.m. ET (MSG Press Room)
Next Game: Saturday, December 4 vs. Chicago Blackhawks (7:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG)
*Schedule subject to change
NHL Rumors
Tarasenko is still looking for a trade. J.T. Miller is drawing plenty of suitors and more here.
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