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Armchair GM New York Rangers roster review: Part 5 – Goaltenders

By Jason Katinas

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 29: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers makes a save as teammate Marc Staal #18 looks on agains Cedric Paquette #13 of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second period of Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 29, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 29: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers makes a save as teammate Marc Staal #18 looks on agains Cedric Paquette #13 of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second period of Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 29, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers s (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers s (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

#31  Igor Shesterkin

Igor Shesterkin was a fourth round draft pick in 2014 (118th overall). He played in the KHL for six seasons where he dominated over the 117 games he played. Last May, Shesterkin signed a two year entry level contract (ELC) and came to North America, beginning the season for the Hartford Wolfpack. In 25 games with Hartford, Shesterkin posted a 17-4-3 record, a 1.90 goals against average (GAA) and a .934% save percentage (Sv%).

He was called up to face the Colorado Avalanche in his first contest, stopping 29 of 32 shots for the win. Two nights later he stopped 46 of 49 shots from the New Jersey Devils for another win. Shesterkin would lose his next outing to the Columbus Blue Jackets while stopping 29 of 31 shots. He wouldn’t lose again until his return from a rib injury suffered in a car accident in Brooklyn.

Shesterkin’s call up was on the heels of the Rangers losing all three games of a west coast trip. The chances of a playoff berth were looking grim. During the three game losing streak, Georgiev lost two games, including being pulled against the Edmonton Oilers after allowing six goals on 24 shots. Lundqvist lost the other, allowing four goals on 29 shots to the Calgary Flames. The call up spurred the New York Rangers to a 14-6-0 record from January 7 through February 22, scoring 70 goals during the stretch. That brought the team to within four points of a playoff spot.

In his short time with the New York Rangers, Igor Shesterkin outshined his goaltending teammates and did what they could not, secure the number one starter role. Shesterkin’s final stat line for the 2019-20 season reads, an impressive 10 wins, 2 losses, a 2.52 GAA and a .932 Sv%. More impressive are his underlying statistics, where he posted an .935 Sv% at even strength and a .849 Sv% facing high danger shots (second and fourth in the NHL for goalies with a minimum 600 minutes played).

Shesterkin will come to camp with high expectations having dominated the KHL and AHL. In his 12 game NHL audition, he put up unsustainable numbers, but proved he is ready for the Garden’s bright lights. Like the King before him, the Czar is now the incumbent to the crease.

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