Rangers HC Mike Sullivan will be under more pressure in wake of Igor Shesterkin, Adam Fox injuries

So, fans can breathe a very small sigh of relief. The Rangers placed Shesterkin on injured reserve. He leads the league in appearances this season with a 17-12-4 record, a .913 save percentage and 2.45 goals-against average. As of Jan. 6, Shesterkin is second in the NHL by MoneyPuck's goals saved above expected statistic. 

The New York Rangers' labored 20-18-6 start is good for 25th in the NHL by points percentage. That's with Shesterkin in the line-up more than any other goalie in the NHL. The Rangers have provided him and backup Jonathan Quick little support this season. The Rangers have been shut out eight times already this season. They have scored one goal or fewer 16 times, with a record of 1-14-1 in those games.

The Rangers benefit from the three-week Olympic break in February. Even if Shesterkin missed every game before the break begins, they would still have 25 games remaining to try to make a push for the playoffs. 

That would make it simple — find a way to tread water while Shesterkin is out, right?

Adam Fox is heading back to LTIR

More than a few folks were surprised when Adam Fox, recently back from missing 14 games with an injury, didn't start overtime Monday night against Utah. 

As it turns out, Fox is headed back to LTIR with what's being only referred to as a lower-body injury. The Rangers labored to a 6-5-3 record in the 14 games that Fox missed earlier this season. The power play had been humming since he returned — the Rangers had scored on five of their last seven attempts. The Rangers have outscored opponents at five-on-five 26-16 with Fox on the ice. 

Without Fox, they're being outscored 53-46 at five-on-five. The Rangers power play was a mess without Fox, scoring only six goals (22nd over that span) while allowing four short-handed goals (most over that span). It was hard enough for the Rangers to just "tread water" without Adam Fox the first time. Now they'll have to do it without both Fox and Shesterkin indefinitely.

The faintest glimmer of hope

It doesn't feel like a lot of hope here, but having a two-time Stanley Cup-winning head coach who emphasizes defense is a good start. The Rangers are third in the NHL per Natural Stat Trick in fewest high danger chances allowed per 60 minutes. 

Forward J.T. Miller is also set to return to the line-up. He was recently cleared for contact. He has 22 points in 35 games, but he had been heating up with 13 points in the 15 games before the injury.

He'll have to take on an even larger responsibility for this team, because simply treading water likely won't be enough for a Rangers team that has played the most games in the league. 

For frustrated fans, the barbarians are at the gates.