The New York Rangers expected to lean on starting netminder Henrik Lundqvist this season. However, their backup, Alexandar Georgiev forced his way into the limelight with his stellar play.
Alexandar Georgiev – Grade: A
Continuing our 2018-2019 New York Rangers report cards, we get to our first goaltender of the bunch. We will continue wrapping up the report cards through this month and into May.
His season
Alexandar Georgiev didn’t see a lot of action when the season started, making his first appearance on October 7 and not getting into another game for two weeks. With Coach David Quinn riding Henrik Lundqvist’s hot start, Georgiev played in only ten of the first 38 games of the season.
He was sent to Hartford twice during the season, but not because of the quality of his play.
Georgiev’s first relegation to the AHL came on November 14. He played that day for the Wolf Pack, earning an overtime win. He was recalled following the game, and had to step in midway through the game the next day, allowing one goal on six shots and taking a loss to the Islanders.
In the new year, he began to play more regularly, but the team’s schedule was very light. With the Rangers’ mandated week off followed by the All-Star break, Georgiev was assigned to Hartford on January 18 to continue playing.
He was recalled following the break and had one standout performance that warranted more and more game time down the stretch. On February 10, the 23-year old Russian essentially blanked the Toronto Maple Leafs, making 55 saves on 56 shots in a 2-1 Rangers’ win. Those 55 saves were a record for a Ranger goalie in regulation and the most by a Blueshirt at the Garden in their history.
Head Coach David Quinn began riding the hot hand as Georgiev started 16 of the Rangers last 30 games. He had some outstanding games as the season ended including a 44 save win against the Blues, a 39 save shootout loss to Columbus and a 3-0 shutout over the Flyers.
Why the Grade?
Alexandar Georgiev’s play was a surprise to the New York Rangers. He played in ten games last season and showed flashes of brilliance, but the quality of his play this year was unexpected. He was able to step up to the plate and give the team a chance to win every time he hit the ice, even when Henrik Lundqvist faltered.
In doing so, Georgiev effectively threw a wrench into the Rangers’ goaltending situation over the coming years. The Rangers appear to have their heir apparent to Lundqvist in another Russian youngster. Igor Shesterkin. He’s another 23-year old goaltender, coming over from the KHL this summer, ready to step into a playing role with the big club after dominating a men’s league for years. Georgiev’s strong play could force one of the three goalies to be the odd man out.
Henrik Lundqvist is in the tail end of his illustrious career, and Igor Shesterkin is just now making his way to North America. This leaves Georgiev in the middle, and he looks well prepared to take the crown as starting goaltender after an impressive season.
The Numbers
Games Played: 33
Games Started: 30
Wins: 14
Losses: 13
Overtime Losses: 4
Shutouts: 2
Goals Against Average: 2.91 (34th best in the NHL)
Save Percentage: .914 (19th best in the NHL)
Next Report Card: Tim Gettinger