SAN JOSE, Calif. — Right here was affirmation of the adage that it isn't as vital who's out of the lineup as who's in.
For although Alexis Lafreniere made it 4 in becoming a member of Barclay Goodrow, Ryan Reaves and Julien Gauthier on the COVID-restricted listing after studying that he examined optimistic after collaborating within the morning skate, the Blueshirts acquired Igor Shesterkin again after his three-game keep below league protocol.
And Shesterkin, who took pictures day by day in New York however didn't have a full apply for greater than every week, was sometimes sensible all through in main the Blueshirts to a 3-0 victory over the Sharks on Thursday night time.
Follow on this case was no extra of an element to Shesterkin than it ever was to Allen Iverson. On this case, the Russian is the anti-Hank because it nearly at all times took Henrik Lundqvist a sport or two following an absence even of this size to get again to the highest of his sport.
“It didn’t matter. I acquired some pictures day by day,” Shesterkin mentioned after his 37-save efficiency marked his third shutout of the season. “The primary minute I used to be nervous, however after I stopped a few pictures, the nerves went [away] and I simply tried to assist,”
Shesterkin elevated the Rangers, however this was not fairly a one-man present. Chris Kreider had a bounce-back sport following an empty one in Los Angeles on Monday and never solely scored the primary shorthanded objective of his profession off a nifty royal highway feed from Mika Zibanejad for a 1-0 lead at 10:25 of the primary interval however then recorded an empty-netter to seal it for the 2 hundredth objective of his 611-game profession.
“Shorthanded,” Kreider mentioned when requested which milestone he most appreciated. “I’ve been ready for some time for some time…”
Braden Schneider not solely seemed for all of the world like he belonged whereas making his NHL debut in entrance of his mother and father, the 20-year-old rifled one in from the slot off a Ryan Strome feed to offer his workforce a 2-0 edge at 1:27 of the third interval.
“I couldn’t have drawn it up any higher myself,” mentioned Schneider, who was stout in his personal finish by way of 14:49 of ice time typically partnered with a stable Patrik Nemeth. “The entire day, I used to be fairly jittery, I couldn’t sit nonetheless, my nap wasn’t too nice. I got here to the rink it was the identical factor with nerves.
“After I acquired on the ice for warmup it grew to become slightly extra actual and I don’t assume it hit me till my first shift after which after that I felt like I settled in and acquired slightly extra assured as the sport went on.”
This was not an ideal efficiency by any means, the Rangers nonetheless turned the puck over in harmful areas manner an excessive amount of. They nonetheless had an excessive amount of hassle traversing the impartial zone in opposition to an opponent in a 1-3-1 construction. Artemi Panarin was manner, manner off his sport in his second contest again after lacking 4 whereas stricken with COVID.
However the Blueshirts battled. They performed a Black-and-Blueshirt sport. Jacob Trouba was entrance and heart when the going acquired unaccountably chippy. Ok’Andre Miller was sturdy — the operative phrase — after a skittery one on Monday. The Packmates — Morgan Barron between Tim Gettinger and Jonny Brodzinksi — have been arduous on the puck. Anthony Greco, subbing in for Lafreniere, was efficient in his second profession sport and first since he acquired into one for Florida on Dec. 13, 2018.
Who have been these guys? These have been the Rangers.
“I imply at this level, you simply need to roll with the punches,” mentioned Kreider, who pumped six pictures at netminder Adin Hill after being named to the all-star sport. “It’s occurring to most groups within the league and it’s nearly a working joke at this level as who's popping out of the lineup for the following sport.
“However the guys who've gone in have performed a terrific job. I assumed Greck was superior, positively injected some power, acquired pucks north, went to the online and acquired pucks to the online. It’s been subsequent man up for us.”
However the man of the hour was nonetheless Shesterkin whereas the 24-10-4 Blueshirts regained first place within the Metro. The goaltender was large on a pair of Erik Karlsson blasts within the first interval, and dealt with site visitors and encroachment all through the ultimate 40 minutes whereas potential trade-deadline Ranger Tomas Hertl mixed with Timo Meier attacked relentlessly.
However Shesterkin’s most vital cease got here at 11:10 of the second interval when he squared up, remained affected person and made a chest on save Andrew Cogliano’s wrister off a 100-foot breakaway up the center whereas defending the 1-0 lead.
“I like breakaways,” Shesterkin mentioned, smiling as in the event that they have been as straightforward as spinning a shutout after greater than every week away from his workforce.
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