The Rangers picked up their fourth win in five games, edging the Senators 2-1 on the road Sunday. Ottawa stood New York up in the neutral zone, preventing the team from using tic-tac-toe passes to break out, forcing the Blueshirts to dump the puck into the offensive zone. The Senators, playing without Drake Batherson, Josh Norris and Thomas Chabot gave the Rangers all they could handle, but New York eked out the win.

Game recap:


A few thoughts:
1) Igor Shesterkin - almost running out of superlatives to describe his play. The one goal that beat Igor was a good shot by Tim Stutzle, though one he felt he should have stopped. Besides that, he allowed nothing. Coming into the game, I thought coach Gerald Gallant might start Alexander Georgiev given the opponent and the heavy workload upcoming at the end of this week when New York faces Washington, Pittsburgh and Vancouver in four days. But igor got the nod and was brilliant.

After this break until Thursday’s game against the Capitals, the Rangers have 32 games in 63 days. Georgiev will need to see some action to make sure Shesterkin has sufficient rest and is not overused. There are two back-to-backs in March and one in April. Figure Georgiev, if he is still in New York post-trade deadline, gets one of those games. My guess overall is a 75-25 split, but as we have seen, none of this is written in stone.

Igor Shesterkin improved his career totals to 50-21-6 (79 GP) and required the fewest games in @NYRangers history to reach the 50-win mark.#NHLStats: https://t.co/Y5ov3j4vPk pic.twitter.com/Q2unet55dR

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 21, 2022

After the game, the main topic of conversation was Shesterkin's just miss at an empty net goal. His passing ability was on display the last game when from his knees in overtime he sprung Artemi Panaron on a semi-breakaway. Last night, the opportunity was there and the puck just slid wide at the last second. Beyond the skill, what impresses me most is the confidence he has in taking the chance. No hesitation, no concern, just relying on his ability.

IGOR REALLY WENT FOR IT! pic.twitter.com/goPQ1EXmP6

— NHL (@NHL) February 21, 2022

2) Artemi Panarin with a goal and an assist, continuing his hot streak. The Breadman has four goals and 15 assists in his last 12 games. On the season, Panarin is up 14 markers and 41 helpers in 45 games, and 25 - five goals and 20 apples - of those points have come while working on the Rangers' exceptional top power-play unit.

Panarin goes pic.twitter.com/Dcy4UDXGt8

— Rangers on MSG (@RangersMSGN) February 20, 2022

Sam and Joe remember Emile Francis pic.twitter.com/tsUcEwxNk9

— Rangers on MSG (@RangersMSGN) February 20, 2022

Thoughts tonight for the ⁦@NYRangers, their family⁩ and great fans. It’s been a heartbreaking 6 months for #NYR alumni, former coach/GM/1970s architect Emile “The Cat” Francis (left) leaving us on Saturday, 6 months to the day after the passing of Mr. Ranger, Rod Gilbert. pic.twitter.com/Ubi4kVIiEA

— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) February 21, 2022

Column. An appreciation of Founding Father Emile Francis and the Greatest Generation of Rangers. https://t.co/rKkMqtqjBq

— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) February 20, 2022

Follow @airjan23

Join the Discussion: » 321 Comments » Post New Comment

» Rangers take on Sharks and Barclay Goodrow tonight at MSG, Zibanejad

» Rangers fall 6-3 to Jets as Zibanejad/Miller continue their struggles

» Rangers step up in class, take on NHL-leading Jets at MSG tonight

» Rangers ride Jonathan Quick to 4-0 shutout win over Red Wings

» Rangers try to right the ship Saturday in Detroit against the Red Wings