The Rangers answered the test and then some, defeating the Hurricanes 1-0 on Tuesday in Raleigh. On the road, though with several Blueshirts’ faithful in attendance, New York put in a lunch pail effort and received a lucky goal from Adam Fox for the victory margin. New York has a six-point division lead over Carolina with 17 games remaining. Both goalies were phenomenal in what truly looked like a playoff game and had that kind of reaction and engagement from the fanbase,
The main story from last night was the play of Igor Shesterkin. Not that long ago, many commented that maybe Shesterkin should cede top goaltending duties to Jonathan Quick, who was hot, while Igor was struggling. While Quick is still playing well, Shesterkin is back in Vezina Trophy winning form over the last few weeks. Over 11 starts since the All-Star break, the 28-year-old Shesterkin has gone 9-1-1 with a 1.63 goals-against average and .951 save percentage, quelling all calls for him to be the backup netminder.
The second story was the play of the blueline. While Carolina put pressure on and carried play in the second period, the six defensemen who dressed last night bent but didn’t break. Granted, part of that was aided by the performance of Shesterkin, but the d-men were solid in the win. Fox showed the Hurricanes, whom he refused to sign with after being traded there by the Flames, again what they were missing as he was all over the ice in the win while Ryan Lindgren was steady as usual.
The newly paired K’Andre Miller and Braden Schneider look to be a duo that should remain together even when Jacob Trouba returns from his injury. Schneider has stepped up with the added responsibility, while Miller has raised his game substantially over the last several weeks. Zac Jones, in the lineup again for Trouba, has shown that he can be counted on and is deserving of more game action. That statement is one most would not have made a week or two ago. Skating alongside Erik Gustafsson, who seems to play better when New York is shorthanded on defense, Jones has helped the team not miss a beat.
New York is in the midst of six games in nine days and five in seven span, with yesterday’s game the third in that overall stretch. The Rangers will be in Tampa tomorrow night before heading to Pittsburgh on Saturday and hosting the Islanders on Sunday. It’s not the schedule gets much easier this month in terms of competition, and April is no easier, as the team plays eight games in 15 days in the month.
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