Rangers Roundup: Shesterkin starts vs Boston, Kakko credits head coach for his success, and more

kakko shesterkin
Feb 11, 2020; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31), defenseman Ryan Lindgren (55) and right wing Kaapo Kakko (24) celebrate their win over the Winnipeg Jets at Bell MTS Place. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports

Feb 11, 2020; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31), defenseman Ryan Lindgren (55) and right wing Kaapo Kakko (24) celebrate their win over the Winnipeg Jets at Bell MTS Place. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers have announced Igor Shesterkin will get the start as expected against the Bruins.

Shesterkin, 25, is having a spectacular season so far with a 10-3-2 record and one shutout. His GAA is an excellent 2.24 to go with a sparkling .932 SV%.

Head coach Gerard Gallant also noted no lineup changes from the last game, a win over the Islanders at the UBS Arena.

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Shesterkin to start versus Bruins in Thanksgiving Showdown

While Shesterkin has great stats on the season, his career numbers against the Bruins needs some work.

In four games he is 0-3-1 with a 3.36 GAA and a .893 SV%.

Shesterkin’s play was also featured on NHL.com with goalie experts praising his style. Here’s a few tidbits:

“He’s an absolute hovercraft on the ice.” – Vancouver Canucks goalie coach Ian Clark.

“The naked eye can see he’s moving, I hate saying better than everybody, but it just looks a little different than everybody… It’s when I see him move either from his feet to his knees or staying down and moving on his knees. He’s a rock down there.” – Former NHL goalie and MSG Analyst Steve Valiquette.

“Shesterkin is for sure one of the best in the world moving on his skates or on the ice.” – Marko Torenius KHL goalie coach.

Kaapo Kakko credits Gerard Gallant for success

Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

Kaapo Kakko is entering his third season in the NHL, and because of that many seem to forget he is just 20 years-old. He’s currently riding a five game point scoring streak with 3 goals and 3 assists after starting the season scoreless in his first 10 games.

The second overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft credits current coach Gerard Gallant for his success. Simply by believing in him and sticking with him, it has the young Finn feeling really good.

“I don’t know about others, but at least my own experience [Gallant] is giving more credit (to his play).” Kakko told Finnish outlet YLE. “Your first mistake doesn’t send you immediately to the fourth line to sit.”

Kakko explained that Gallant understand those mistakes come but he doesn’t expect you to simply always dump the puck while on offense.

NHL Trade Bait Tracker

The list now has 19 names on it which J.T. Miller and Kevin Fiala among the freshly added. Read it here.

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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