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New York Rangers vs Colorado Avalanche: Igor Shesterkin a 5-3 winner in debut

By Steve Paulus

Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers
Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers /
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The New York Rangers celebrate a first period power-play goal by Chris Kreider
The New York Rangers celebrate a first period power-play goal by Chris Kreider /

Notes on the game

Igor Shesterkin finished with 29 saves on 32 shots.  Colorado ended up with 55 shots taken compared to the Rangers’ 49.  One thing we didn’t know about Shesterkin was his stickhandling.  He wowed the crowd with a headman pass from his crease to the Avalanche blue line.

Shesterkin got the solo lap during the pregame warmups.

So, after one game, Shesterkin has a goals against average of 3.04 and a .906 save percentage.  Not as good as his AHL numbers.

  • To compare, Henrik Lundqvist lost in overtime to the Devils in his debut game on October 8, 2005. He also allowed three goals and he had 24 saves. Alexandar Georgiev also lost his first game, a 3-1 decision to the Canadiens.  Georgiev allowed two goals and had 38 saves.

    • After being shut out for two games, the Panarin and Zibanejad juggernauts were back at full speed.

  • Brady Skjei played 27:12, the most on the team by far and over two minutes more than Jacob Trouba who usually leads the team.  Zibanejad led all forwards with 25:32 of ice time.

    • Artemi Panarin took eight shots.  I guess not scoring for a few games gets him a little antsy.

  • After Lindgren left the game in the first period, the Rangers double shifted defensemen and kept four lines.  By the third period, coach David Quinn had moved Brendan Smith back to the defense.

    • Adam Fox had one assist to best Cale Makar in the scoring category of the top rookie defenseman contest.  Makar had four shots, but was also minus three on the game.  Give this one to Fox.

    The Rangers won 33 of 59 faceoffs for a 55.9% winning percentage. Mika Zibanejad was superb, winning 17 of 22 (77.3%).

  • Despite losing Lindgren early and not having Brendan Lemieux in the lineup, the Rangers outhit the Avalanche 28-19.
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