Georgiev must seize the timely opportunity in front of him

If there’s something positive to gain from Igor Shersterkin’s short-term injury amidst his Vezina-caliber campaign for the New York Rangers, it’s giving Alexandar Georgiev the opportunity to recover his game.

The narrative with Georgiev has become unsightly, as the 25-year-old netminder sports a 3.58 GAA and .876 SV% in eight contests—and that includes the last game and 14:52 minutes he’s played since relieving Shesterkin. When contrasting Georgiev’s struggles to Shesterkin’s sensational play, the numbers are more conspicuous.

Things seemed at their worst for Georgiev on Nov. 21 against Buffalo, when he allowed 4 goals on 18 shots. Of course, Shesterkin would relieve him in the third period and Ryan Lindgren would subsequently bury the game winner with 0.4 seconds left. It took those two occurrences to turn a sloppy effort against a mediocre opponent and transform it into an instant classic. And with that, the outlook for Georgiev buried itself a little bit deeper.

Gerard Gallant had elected to ride his hot hand thereafter and it was a wonder when and how Georgiev could find redemption. The daunting duty of staying alert when starts come few and far between is taxing for an NHL backup goaltender—especially when nursing a case of the yips.

In his last several starts, there were evident hardships maintaining composure in between goals against, as it seemed Georgiev was fighting pucks off. He was scrambling off rebounds and it looked as if he was cheating on reads that shooters were able to swiftly punish him for. It was almost as if he was playing off goaltending technicalities more than playing the game in front of him.

Since assuming the crease, the Bulgarian has performed admirably by stopping 34 of 36 shots. The two goals allowed against Chicago were wonky referee-decided tallies—one on a high stick review and the other squeaking through the wickets just before the whistle after a point-blank stop.

Those misfortunes aside, Georgiev is trending back in the right direction. He has regained his ability to track the puck and has controlled his rebounds efficiently since San Jose. The genius of Benoit Allaire is key in helping Georgiev simplify his game, which has shown itself in a critical time for the Rangers’ netminder. This is a starting-caliber goaltender and it was just a matter of conjuring the mental stability and letting the joy of playing hockey take precedent over technicalities.

While it’s not only imperative that Georgiev uses this stint to rediscover his game for himself, it is equally important that he do so as a trade asset for the Rangers. Shesterkin has solidified his case as the franchise goalie for the next generation and Georgiev’s potential could beckon elsewhere. For him to find the starting role he is capable of possessing—and for the Rangers to work the market—this seldom opportunity amidst Shesterkin’s brilliance is defining for Georgiev.

Furthermore, it is difficult for any club to maintain success without goaltending depth in the modern NHL. While the Rangers could milk Shersterkin for all the juice in his tank and likely procure a playoff birth, Georgiev must kick in his share of fortified net minding when Shesterkin rests to keep the Rangers on course.

It’s a role that has become more vital in the formula of winning in this league. NHL goaltending tandems must work hand-in-hand as much as a Major League bullpen does.