New York Rangers Daily: Igor Shesterkin goes back to back; Canucks livid about hit that injured Filip Chytil
There was a time not long ago that this was no big deal. But these days it’s a major storyline that Igor Shesterkin started on consecutive days for the New York Rangers.
It’s not what NHL goalies typically do any more. And not what Rangers goalies have done since the prime of Henrik Lundqvist.
At 29 years old, Shesterkin has never appeared in more than 58 games in a season. This despite his billing as one of the best goalies in the world and, starting next season, the richest goalie in NHL history after inking a record-breaking eight-year, $92 million contract earlier this season.
He’d only started on consecutive days four times in the NHL, twice after he was pulled the night before. He was, it should be pointed out, a perfect 4-0 in those second straight day starts.
However, current NHL convention these days is to limit the amount of starts your No. 1 goalie makes, and the most logical way to do that is to hand off starts on the second of back-to-back nights. It’s not a terrible plan for the Rangers with Jonathan Quick as a very capable No. 2. And it even worked fine with Jaroslav Halak and Alexandar Georgiev as Shesterkin’s goaltending partner.
But sometimes you’ve got to ride your No. 1. And Sunday night was that time. Coming off a 4-0 shutout win in Columbus against the Blue Jackets and needing every standings point they can get, the Rangers did the right thing and went right back to Shesterkin to make his 50th start of the season.
Yes, it was the right thing to do if even the wrong outcome. The Rangers lost 3-1 to the Edmonton Oilers and Shesterkin stopped 20 of 23 shots. He was outplayed by Stuart Skinner, who was terrific in net for the Oilers.
Still, it was the right call by Rangers coach Peter Laviolette. Just not the winning result.
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New York Rangers news
Here are three Rangers takeaways from the disappointing 3-1 loss to the Oilers, including an inability to win three games in a row.
And here’s a breakdown of the winners and losers from the home-ice loss to the Oilers, including the Rangers power play ending up on this list … again.
Former Rangers center Filip Chytil, who’s had four documented concussions in his NHL career, landed in concussion protocol with the Vancouver Canucks after absorbing a hit from behind Saturday.
NHL news and rumors
Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood was livid with Jason Dickinson’s hit that injured Chytil and said that “we’ll get him next year” when the teams next meet.
Pending UFA defenseman Henri Jokiharju said in an interview with the Boston Herald that he’s open to negotiating with the Boston Bruins and bypassing free agency after being acquired from the Buffalo Sabres ahead of the trade deadline.
Mike Reilly was back in the Islanders lineup against the Florida Panthers, logging over 14 minutes TOI after being sidelined four months following a heart procedure.
The Islanders then scored four goals in the third period to upset the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 4-2.
Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov left that game with an upper-body injury and didn’t return.
The Red Wings pulled even with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the East, two points behind the Rangers with a 3-0 shutout win over the Vegas Golden Knights.
Logan Cooley scored the tie-breaking goal in the third period to lift the Utah Hockey Club to a 3-1 win against the Canucks.
Utah will be without the rugged Liam O’Brien, who’s out four weeks with a lower-body injury.
The San Jose Sharks became the first team eliminated from Stanley Cup playoff contention when the St. Louis Blues defeated the Anaheim Ducks 7-2 on Sunday.
The Winnipeg Jets keep rolling, edging the Seattle Kraken 3-2 in overtime.
Cale Makar scored 34 seconds into overtime to lift the Colorado Avalanche past the Dallas Stars 4-3.
Mikko Rantanen heard mostly cheers in his return to Denver on Sunday, but there were a few boos, too, since he now plays for the Stars. Rantanen had an assist in his game against his old team.
Watch Makar’s overtime-winner against the Stars.
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