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Shesterkin’s first shutout as the Rangers blank Devils 3-0

By Steve Paulus

Apr 13, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) is congratulated by center Brett Howden (21) after the game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) is congratulated by center Brett Howden (21) after the game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) scores a goal past New Jersey Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (29) Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) scores a goal past New Jersey Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (29) Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Notes on the game

Shesterkin improved his Save Percentage to .924 which is fourth best in the NHL among goalies who have played in 20 or more games.  His Goals Against Average of 2.35 ranks eighth best in the league.  He improved his record to 11-9-3.

This was the fourth shutout of the season by Ranger goalies, the most in one season since 2016-17 when Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Raanta combined for six.

There were two fights in the game.  Chris Kreider faced off with Damon Severson in the first period and Brendan Smith took on Michael McLeod in the second period.  The Rangers didn’t fare well in the fisticuffs.

Buchnevich’s empty net goal was the 20,000th goal scored by the Rangers in franchise history.

The Rangers rolled four lines.  Pavel Buchnevich led all forwards in even strength ice time with 16:14 minutes, more time than Mika Zibanejad or Artemi Panarin.

Jacob Trouba led all players with 22:40 minutes of ice time, more than Adam Fox who logged 22:27 minutes.

Th Rangers have now won three in a row over the Devils after dropping the first two decisions.   The home team has yet to win a game in this series.

With just over three minutes left, P.K. Suban took an awful dive trying to draw a tripping penalty on Pavel Buchnevich. There’s supposed to be a penalty for embellishing, but referees are loathe to call it.  Does it matter?  Of course it does.  Ryan Lindgren took a high sticking penalty with 1:19 left in the game and that should have evened up the sides, not given the Devils a power play.

Faceoffs continue to be  a problem.  The Rangers lost the last five draws in the game and the Devils won 22 to the Rangers’ 15.   Ryan Strome was the best, winning five of seven  while Zibanejad had the most trouble, winning four of 14.  The Rangers really need a faceoff specialist who can win key draws, especially in the defensive zone.

Nico Hischier was back after missing 40 games with a facial injury.  He led all Devils forwards with 20:58 minutes of ice time. He had two shots on goal and won 8 of 13 draws.

Artemi Panarin’s goal played in his 100th game and his goal was his 138th point, passing Mark Messier who had 137 points in his first 100 games.

Adam Fox had been scoreless in his last two games.  He ended that streak resoundingly with two assists, giving him 34 assists and 39 points on the season. He leads the league among defensemen in both categories.

Pavel Buchnevich scored his third empty net goal of the season. That’s the most by one player since Michael Grabner scored seven times into an empty net in 2017-18.

With 46 points in 42 games, the Rangers have passed the pace kept by the Rangers last season when they had 44 points after 42 games.   It’s he most points at that point in the season since 2017-18.

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