Fansided

Shesterkin, Kreider & Schneider lead the way in 3-0 shutout

By Steve Paulus |
Jan 13, 2022; San Jose, California, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (45) reacts after scoring a goal during the third period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2022; San Jose, California, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (45) reacts after scoring a goal during the third period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
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New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (45) reacts after scoring a goal during the third period (Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports)
New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (45) reacts after scoring a goal during the third period (Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports) /

The New York Rangers came up big as they finished their tour of California, beating the San Jose Sharks 3-0.  It evens their record for this road trip to 2-2 and they have a chance to go home with a winning record if they can beat the Flyers on Saturday.

There were an awful lot of reasons to be impressed with this win.  The beat a San Jose team that had won three games in a row and the Blueshirts were coming off a tough loss to the Kings on Monday.  They lost Alexis Lafreniere to the COVID protocol just before the game so it was a makeshift lineup. Not only was the coach from the the AHL, but six starters have been promoted from Hartford as well.

It was a sparkling debut for defenseman Braden Schneider who looked very, very good in his first game and then he iced the win by scoring the Rangers second goal less than two minutes into the third period.

Schneider wasn’t the only hero.  Igor Shesterkin was simply outstanding, making 37 saves as he notched his second straight shutout.  Chris Kreider scored the first shorthanded goal of his career and added an empty net goal, the 200th goal of his career.  Queens born Anthony Greco played in his second NHL game and was energetic and noticeable.  In fact, all of the Hartford call-ups were very good.  It was a solid effort by the entire team and an inspiring win.

It was another statement win for the Blueshirts as they rebounded after a loss to win for the ninth time this season.  The team that everyone says cannot beat playoff teams are now over .500 against teams currently in the playoff mix with a record of 9-8-1.

After beating the Sharks in New York 1-0 on a first period power play goal, it looked like a repeat when Kreider and Mika Zibanejad broke out on a two-on-one while killing a first period penalty to Ryan Strome.  Zibanejad made the perfect feed to Kreider who beat San Jose goalie Adin Hill.

Coach Kris Knoblauch spoke about how important it was to get ahead early. “That shorthanded goal that we scored allowed us to have a little bit of comfort, it’s always easier when you’ve got tha lead, you’re not pressing,  you’re not cheating to score on offense…everyone showed up and played.”

After a scoreless second period,  it was rookie Braden Schneider who scored during a strong shift in the offensive zone.

It was a perfect shot and came when the Rangers really need to build on that 1-0 lead.

They held the 2-0 lead until late in the third period.  They had to kill a Trouba penalty with three minutes to go, but San Jose didn’t pull their goalie until the power play had almost expired.   Kreider potted the empty net goal on an assist from Kevin Rooney and the game was over.

Here’s a video recap of the game.

The man of the hour was 20-year-old rookie Braden Schneider.

Knoblauch talked about him.  “I was very proud of him, the way he played.  His first couple shifts, he was in the play a lot, made really simple plays, advanced the puck to the forwards,  I don’t recall him being out of position defensively  all night.  That’s his game.  Nice to to see him rewarded  scoring that goal.”

Schneider spoke about the experience. “I don’t think it hit me until my first shift of the game, after that I got a little more comfortable as the game went on.  I am very happy with how I played, I wanted to show I could play physical and perform at this level.  It’s one game. I can’t get too high on myself, but I was very happy with how it went.’

When asked about the goal, he said ” I was in the right place at the right time, I couldn’t have drawn it up better myself.”

If tonight was any indication, Schneider will be around for a while.

Jan 13, 2022; San Jose, California, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) during the third period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2022; San Jose, California, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) during the third period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

Notes on the game

With the win, the Rangers moved into first place in the Metropolitan Division, two points ahead of Carolina who has four games in hand, but lost to Columbus earlier.

This was the 14th road win of the season for the Blueshirts, the most the team has ever had in their first 37 games and the most of any team in the NHL.

When Braden Schneider scored, he became the first Ranger defenseman to score in his first game since Thomas Pock in a loss to Pittsburgh in 2004.

Anthony Greco became the first Queens born New York Ranger.  His father was a firefighter who died in 2020 from 9/11 related illnesses. Greco got a good luck tweet from the FDNY hockey team.  He made the most of the opportunity, playing  dynamic game  with five shots on goal in 9:44 minutes of ice time.

Filip Chytil moved up to play right wing on the line with Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome and he assisted on Schneider’s goal.  It was the third straight game that he has notched an assist.

K’Andre Miller got knocked into the boards in the second period on a dirty hit by Adam Raska.  Miller had to undergo the concussion protocol, but returned to the game a few minutes later.

Jacob Trouba had a very rough shift in the second period with Timo Meier as they wrestled behind the net with Meier missing Trouba with a punch.  Both got minor penalties and San Jose tough guy Jeffrey Viel picked a fight with Trouba.  Trouba leads the Rangers with five fighting majors this season.

The Rangers had only one power play in the game and now have not scored a power play goal in four straight games, their longest stretch of the season.  The PP has dropped to 10th best in the NHL with a 22.7% success rate.

The penalty killers were perfect again, killing two penalties.  They have killed 12 straight and since November 21, they have killed 58 of their last 62 times they have been shorthanded. Their PK is now at a 85.5% success rate and is ranked third best in the NHL .

Igor Shesterkin notched his third shutout of the season and has a scoreless streak now of 126:57.  It’s only two games, but he hasn’t allowed a goal in 2022.   His goals against average has dropped to 1.99 and he has the best save percentage in the NHL at .939.

He is tied for third with three shutouts and don’t forget, he had to leave the first San Jose game with the lower body injury and that could have easily been shutout number four.

Shesterkin did NOT make he All-Star team as Tristan Jarry and Frederick Andersen were chosen to represent the Metropolitan Division. The only category that he trails those two are in wins.   He has 16 compared to 18 for both Jarry and Andersen.

Kreider now has 23 goals on the season and is tied for fourth most in the NHL.  Not only was that his first shorthanded goal of his career, it was the first shorthanded point.  He is the 12th Ranger to reach 200 goals.

Patrik Nemeth had very good game.  He was never out of position, threw some heavy checks and joined in the offense.  Coach Knoblauch pointed out that Nemeth had been playing the right side the last few games and that was an issue.  It’s true, Nemeth looked much more comfortable on the left side with right shot Braden Schneider.

Artemi Panarin has gone scoreless in two straight games for the first time this season.  He has gone without scoring a point in three straight games only once as a Ranger, last season.

Adam Fox picked up his 32nd assist, tied with Victor Hedman for most by a defenseman.  He is two points behind Hedman in the defense scoring race.  He led all Rangers, playing 24:28 minutes.

Jan 13, 2022; San Jose, California, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) defends the goal during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2022; San Jose, California, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) defends the goal during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

My 3 Rangers stars

Igor Shesterkin

get the first star for a brilliant game.  He stopped two breakaways and made the shutout look easy.

It was the 11th time he has made 37 saves in a game and he has won every time.

  • Chris Kreider is he easy second star for his two goals including the crucial shorthanded goal that gave the Rangers the lead. He led the team with six shots on goal.  He also played outstanding defensively, something Kris Knoblauch cited after the game.
  • Mika Zibanejad gets the third star for another excellent game.  He won 58% of his draws and set up Kreider perfectly for the shorthanded goal.  He led all forwards in ice time with 19:44.

    • Honorable mention: Braden Schneider for his goal and his composure in his first NHL game.

    The officlal three stars

    1. Igor Shesterkin
    2. Adam Fox
    3. Mika Zibanejad

    What’s next

    The Rangers have the long flight home before taking on the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night.  It’s their first game against a Metropolitan Division opponent since they played the Flyers on December 1.

    It remains to be seen if Gerard Gallant will still be in the COVID protocol for that game.  Remember, Kris Knoblauch was behind the bench when the Rangers thrashed the Flyers last season, 9-0.

    Related Story. Fox and Kreider are all stars. light

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