The overarching theme of the Rangers’ sport in opposition to the Avalanche on Tuesday night time was at all times going to be goaltending. In a 3-2 shootout loss to Colorado, nevertheless, a uncommon gaffe from the Blueshirts’ star goaltender, Igor Shesterkin, practically stole the present.
Shesterkin skated out to aggressively play the puck along with his group shorthanded, as he has many instances earlier than, however the netminder mishandled it whereas absorbing a tough forecheck from Colorado ahead Andrew Cogliano. Earlier than Shesterkin may get set, Cogliano fed Logan O’Connor, who scored to place the Avalanche up 2-1 simply 59 seconds into the third interval.
Pausing in what seemed to be disbelief, Shesterkin simply seemed down on the ice. The Rangers had been capable of even the rating and drive time beyond regulation behind Adam Fox’s third-period purpose earlier than Colorado ahead Evan Rodrigues gained it for his group within the shootout.
“One goalie saved a shot; the opposite one missed a shot,” Shesterkin mentioned by an interpreter after the loss. “That’s the distinction.”
Shesterkin has been lauded by his teammates for his particular talent in dealing with the puck, however contemplating how a lot he does it and the chance it at all times entails, such a play was certain to occur in some unspecified time in the future.
Within the shootout, after ahead Nathan MacKinnon missed on Colorado’s first shootout try, Shesterkin made the save on defenseman Cale Makar. Mikko Rantanen and Rodrigues then every scored to offer the Avalanche the successful margin.
Shesterkin completed with 42 saves on 44 pictures, together with 5 saves in opposition to Colorado’s deadly energy play.
“He made one mistake in two years,” Rangers coach Gerard Gallant mentioned with a smile. “I didn’t even see what occurred to be sincere. I simply seen he had the puck within the nook, I don't know. It occurs, we get by it and recover from it.”
There was a weird second on the finish of the primary interval, when Alexis Lafreniere was known as for high-sticking Makar within the face. Replays confirmed it was clearly the stick of Colorado defenseman Devon Toews that hit Makar, however since solely double-minor calls may be reviewed, the wrong infraction stood.
The Rangers had been capable of kill off the head-scratching penalty.
“He’s bought no selection, he’s bought to make the decision,” Gallant mentioned. “It’s disappointing and irritating, however he made the proper name.”
Defenseman Libor Hajek performed in simply his second sport of the season, changing Zac Jones on the underside pair alongside Braden Schneider. Jones, who had a troublesome sport throughout a loss to the Blue Jackets on Sunday, was a wholesome scratch.
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