Rangers quietly one of the league’s better teams as Igor Shesterkin notches first career shutout against Devils

Anthony Scultore Updated: Apr 14, 2021

seattle expansion — Apr 13, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) is congratulated by center Brett Howden (21) after the game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Rangers vs Devils: It wasn’t easy even though the Blueshirts walked out of the Prudential Center with a 3-0 win. The Rangers traded too many chances with the Devils in the first period and were lucky to be up 1-0 on Mika Zibanejad’s 15th of the season.

Then Jacob Trouba took over.

Trouba settles things down; Rangers tighten up defensively for win

In his post game interview, David Quinn acknowledged that he didn’t go in the locker-room after the first period. Instead, alternate captain Jacob Trouba talked to the boys into settling down and playing better defense. It obviously worked as Quinn joked, “maybe that’s the new recipe.”

After giving up 10 shots and even more chances in the first; the Rangers only gave up 17 the rest of the game. Artemi Panarin scored in the second period for his 138th point in his first 100 games as a Rangers. The goal was one more point than Mark Messier’s previous record in that span.

Another milestone was reached when Pavel Buchnevich sealed the game with a shorthanded empty-netter. He goes down in the Blueshirts history book for scoring the 20,000th goal in the franchise’s history. However; the game’s first star was 25 year-old rookie goalie Igor Shesterkin who notched his first ever NHL shutout on the strength of 27 saves. It was his 11th win on the season as he drives the Rangers surge with at least a point in nine out of his last 11 appearances.

Since March 14th, the Rangers are quietly tied for fourth in the NHL for most points(23), just one behind the Capitals. They remain four points out of the last playoff spot in the East as the Bruins edged the Sabres 3-2 in shootout.

NYR Post Game Notes

The Rangers extended their point streak to three games (2-0-1 record over the span). The Blueshirts have also earned at least one point in seven of the last eight games (5-1-2 record), in 10 of the last 13 games (8-3-2 record), and in 13 of the last 17 games (10-4-3 record).
The Rangers extended their road point streak to five games (3-0-2 record over the span). The Blueshirts have also earned at least one point in eight of their last 11 road contests, dating back to Mar. 13 at Boston (6-3-2 record over the span).
Nine of the 20 Rangers players who dressed in tonight’s game are 23 years old or younger.

The Rangers have a scheduled day off today. Their next game is Thursday, Apr. 15 vs. New Jersey (7:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG Network).

Notes courtesy NYR