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Shesterkin steals two points for New York in 2-1 overtime win over Toronto |
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The Rangers - or more precisely Igor Shesterkin - stole the team two points. In a game where they were vastly outplayed, the Czar was the difference, stopping 40 of 41 shots, including making 26 saves on shots from the slot, to garner the two points, New York is now off until Thursday when the Blueshirts are in Music City to face the Predators.
Game recap:
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A few thoughts:
1) With Ryan Strome and Kakko Kakko out, New York promoted Morgan Barron to the parent club. Yesterday, he was just a practice participant, as he was not in the lineup. That lack of inclusion was not because Barron just played three games in as many days for Hartford but coach Gerard Gallant's decision. Maybe they wanted him to get one practice under his belt, but given the lack of offense and miscasting of Kevin Rooney on the third line, I would have had Barron as the 3c.
2) Overtime. If you didn't watch it live, view it now. Up and down action. Shesterkin robbed Auston Matthews twice. Jacob Trouba helped bail out Igor. Jack Campbell, who was very good as well, stoned Mika Zibanejad before the game winner by Artemi Panarin.
3) Zib and Panarin: Paired during the game due to the lack of sustainable attack, Zib scored the first goal for New York thanks to good forecheck pressure by Dryden Hunt and Ryan Reaves, which created the turnover he gathered in and snapped past Campbell. Panarin still is searching for his game, but he came up big in overtime.
The Blueshirts were dreadful on draws, winning 13 of 54. But, they got the one they needed. Zib went forward on the draws in overtime, and after a few passes in tight quarters, Panarin snapped the shot wide side past Campbell. Panarin has not gone more than three games without scoring a goal, and his tally yesterday keeps that mark intact.
4) Top-six: Non-existent for the most part. No sustained attack, as the team went stretches of minutes without a shot attempt at all. Lots of work in the neutral zone but little puck possession or semblance of a plan. Too much east-west and not enough getting pucks deep or finding a way to attack the offensive zone with the puck movement. The bottom-six did their job, playing a hard and gritty game. But they won't produce much. When the first six does little, the goalie better stand on his head or it will be a blowout. That's what happened Monday.
5) Shesterkin: Beast mode. Came up big all night. He is now 9-0-0 when he makes at least 36 saves. As seen by the tweet, seventh win with over 40 saves. Robbed the Maple Leafs repeatedly, including a handful of saves in overtime. Not enough superlatives exist for his performance yesterday.
6) Welcome to Arthur Staple, who is picking up Rangers coverage in addition to the his Isles coverage on the Athletic:
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