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New York Rangers: A look at the backup goalie candidates

By Sam Prevot

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 22: New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) makes the save during the NHL game between the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers on March 22, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 22: New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) makes the save during the NHL game between the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers on March 22, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia PA. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – DECEMBER 15: The San Jose Sharks score a goal against Dustin Tokarski #35 of the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 15, 2015 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – DECEMBER 15: The San Jose Sharks score a goal against Dustin Tokarski #35 of the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 15, 2015 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Dustin Tokarski

Dustin Tokarski should be a familiar name for Rangers fans. He is the backup goaltender that stepped in for Carey Price in the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals. Chris Kreider infamously ran into Price in game one, injuring Price and taking him out of the series.

Tokarski is the backup candidate with the most NHL experience. His 34 NHL games slightly surpasses Mazanec’s 31. However, he is the smallest of the three candidates at 6 feet.

His career save percentage is .904, and he has a career goals-against average of 2.84.

The Rangers clearly were not satisfied with just Mazanec and Georgiev competing for the backup spot. Tokarski stayed strong in net for the Canadiens during that 2014 Eastern Conference Finals, despite eventually losing the series. He is just a bit more of a proven player to backup Lundqvist for 30 or more games.

Although Tokarski did not play in the NHL last season, he had a solid season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL. In 39 AHL games, he recorded a save percentage of .915 and a goals-against average of 2.65. He even earned an assist as well.

Tokarski’s signing signals that he is probably the Rangers’ top backup candidate at the moment. He can play in the NHL while Mazanec and Georgiev get more reps in the AHL and continue to develop.

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