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Igor Shesterkin placed on IR as Rangers close out a brutal 2024 |
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Just when we thought 2024 couldn't get any worse, we found out that was not the case, Igor Shesterkin was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with an upper-body injury that will sidelined him for at least the next three games. New York played well enough in their 5-3 loss to Florida on Monday, but defensive mistakes, part of the hallmark of their 4-15-0 record their last 19 games, were on display again.
The news on Igor came out of the blue. While he was knocked over and bumped during the loss, I don't think any of us expected the news we received yesterday. Shesterkin has been bumped a lot this year, and in year's past. But looking at the below, where Ryan Lindgren knocked Sam Bennett into Shesterkin, which is where the injury might have occurred, Igor getting injured shouldn't be viewed as a major surprise.
While Shesterkin has seen his play go south recently with the team, losing your starting goalie, and an elite one at that, is never ideal. As Arthur Staple wrote, which we all knew, Shesterkin’s numbers aren’t good this season, with a .906 save percentage and a 3.10 goals-against average. But he still ranks third in the league with 14.11 goals saved above expected, according to Clear Sight Analytics.
Louis Domingue was called up to back up Jonathan Quick as Dylan Garand is also dealing with an injury. It's hard to say losing your starting goalie is a good thing, but Quick showed last year that he can step up when needed, and boy, does New York need it now. Quick has struggled lately, same as the team, after getting off to a hot start. He has been sitting on 398 wins since notching a victory Nov. 30 and will get a chance to earn wins 399 and 400 while Shesterkin is sidelined. Maybe the time off will give Shesterkin a chance to re-center himself and find his balance as he has grown increasingly frustrated the last few weeks.
The lines in practice today are the same as Monday in Florida. Jonny Brodzinski and Matt Rempe have been rotating in, though Rempe still has four games to go on his eight-game suspension. Zac Jones remains an extra.
Panarin-Trocheck-Lafrenière
Kreider-Zibanejad-Smith
Cuylle-Chytil-Berard
Edström-Carrick-Vesey
Lindgren-Fox
Miller-Borgen
Vaakanainen-Schneider
Quick
Domingue
Here are the key questions in my head as we start 2025, what are yours?
1) Will Peter Laviolette survive the rest of the season? If he doesn't, who gets named as interim?
2) If the Rangers continue to fade, does James Dolan have faith in Chris Drury to determine the path forward for this franchise?
3) Which veteran is next to be voted off Rangers' Island? Better question, which veteran do you want to be dealt (cognizant of the answer)?
4) Who is a keeper for the future if there is a tear down?
5) Is Chris Kreider playing hurt and does he get shut down before the end of the season?
6) What is the likelihood that the team turns it out and gets back in playoff contention?
7) If they do, who should be targeted up front or on the blue line?
8) Do we see Gabe Perreault after BC's season ends?
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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