N.Y. Rangers: Igor Shesterkin Offering No Quarter

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

THURSDAY

RANGERS      3

PREDATORS  1

FINAL

Igor Shesterkin and Penalty Kill Lift Rangers To Third Consecutive Win

Alexandar Georgiev has not seen ice since his opening night defeat against the Washington Capitals.  He faced 27 shots that night and let five get through - three on the penalty kill, one shorthanded, and one at even strength.  Some were arguably soft, others not so much.

Making his first start against Dallas, Igor Shesterkin committed the cardinal sin when he allowed that first-period goal with 0:35 left on the clock.  That raised an eyebrow.   He then allowed a power-play goal in the second.  But it's worth noting all the Ranger skaters allowed four goals on eight power-play opportunities afforded to the Caps and Stars.  Otherwise, the Rangers, of course, lost to Dallas just 1:38 into overtime.

The penalty kill has since tightened up.  Montreal, Toronto, and the Preds finished their games against the Rangers 0/3 on the power play.

Over his last three starts, Igor Shesterkin has allowed just one goal by each of the previously mentioned opponents.  Said another way, he has faced 101 shots on goal over the last three games and stopped all but three.  His 41-save performance against the Maple Leafs was quite commendable.  Artemi Panarin doesn't score the game-winner in overtime without him.

Against Nashville, the power play went 0 for 4, but the Rangers were able to play with a lead.  Filip Chytl scored just 2:12 into the first period on feeds by Alexis Lafreniere and Sammy Blais.

Nashville's Phillip Tomasino evened things up at 7:01 of the second period.

But the Rangers retake the lead midway through the third on Alexis Lafreniere's second goal this season with assists from Adam Fox (his third) and Sammy Blais, his second of the game.  Afterwhich, Barclay Goodrow's goal with 0:06 seconds left in regulation closes out the scoring. 

For Filip Chytil, his first goal of the season.  Before losing him last season to injury, Chytil had eight goals and 14 assists in 42 games.  I'm hoping like hell he plays himself into being this team's top-line center or having him together on a line with Kakkoo Kappo and Alexis Lafreniere.