The New York Rangers avoided an emotional letdown following their 6-5 overtime win over the Islanders, defeating the Stars 3-1 on Tuesday. New York got out to a lead, an area of weakness, even during their win streak, and made it hold thanks to the stellar net play by Igor Shesterkin.
Igor Shesterkin could have been the game’s first, second and third star. Any breakdown by the defense or opening created by Dallas was stoned by Shesterkin. The Stars ratcheted up their play and intensity as the game wore on, putting 32 shots on net in the final two periods. Shesterkin stoned 31 of those shots, several of the saves of the brilliant variety, maintaining the one-goal lead that was extended by an empty-net marker.
Shesterkin headed into the All-Star break with rightful questions about his play. There was talk of Jonathan Quick deserving more playing time. Shesterkin had a solid All-Star Game, though that does not carry much weight. But there, he started to find his game again.
He started to dispel some of those doubts by shutting out Calgary 2-0 in his first game after the break. After a rough first 21 minutes in the Stadium Series contest in which Shesterkin allowed four goals – only one of which was really his fault – he was brilliant the rest of the way, enabling the Rangers to rally. Tuesday, the full package was on display.
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Shesterkin was calm in the net, anticipating plays and shots. The glove hand was powerful, in line with what we saw against the Flames. His side-to-side movement was on point, thwarting all but one Dallas shot. Add in upper-tier rebound control, and Tuesday night, he looked like the Vezina Trophy winner of two years ago between the pipes. His late saves on Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin left both players shaking their heads in shock and muttering to themselves. If Shesterkin plays like this, the Rangers become even harder to defeat.
Two other stories stood out. First, the play of Kaapo Kakko. His goal, top-shelf over Scott Wedgewood’s shoulder short-side, was created due to some strong work on the boards. Kakko’s physical play has been extremely evident during his five-game point streak.
Not to be discounted has been his solid defensive play, which has always been a hallmark of his game. Coach Peter Laviolette has a decision to make. Does he leave Kakko with Jonny Brodzinski and Will Cuylle on a third line that has been extremely effective, or does he move Kakko back to the first line next to Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider?
Second, the Bruise Brothers line. Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom saw limited minutes Tuesday night, but their impact was evident when they were on the ice. Their height and physical play are hard to ignore and easy to spot from the crowd.
If they can use those skills and avoid taking bad penalties, that duo and Barclay Goodrow can be an effective fourth line. New York has been looking for a trio that can be an Identity Line, as the Islanders have or the Devils’ former Crash Line. Granted, there is a high bar to hit, and even if they can be a fraction of how effective each has been, the Rangers will have a unit they could use down the stretch and in the playoffs. But I still think a deal is forthcoming.
The Blueshirts play their next four games against division rivals, the first three of which are on the road, beginning Thursday against the Devils. The Rangers will need Igor Shesterkin to be at his best as the drive to the playoffs is on.
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