Speaking of Igor
When Igor Shesterkin has a bad game, it’s noticeable, but this wasn’t the first time this has happened. During the regular season, he gave up five goals in a 5-1 loss to Calgary in October. Less than two weeks later he gave up six goals again to Calgary.
He gave up four goals in a game three times this season. In his 47 other starts, he held the opposition to three goals or fewer. What’s important is what he did after those two Calgary games. After the first game, he shut out the Columbus Blue Jackets. After the second game, he beat the high powered Florida Panthers 4-3.
Today, Gallant was asked if he senses that Shesterkin was off his game. “I think the first two goals were real lucky and the crowd was going crazy and everything was going. It just went against us. There were some lucky bounces and breaks and I though at 4-1 why not shake something up.”
Gallant’s expectations for Monday? “I expect him to be outstanding. It’s a one-off, that stuff happens like that. Again, nobodies blaming him…our team was dominated in the first period…it’s nothing on Igor. It was two lucky goals the first two and away we go.”
Of course, everyone is looking for issues and the speculation that he was still tired from the triple overtime and that he has never played as many games is pretty baseless. He had a bad period helped by no puck luck.
Let’s look at that first period.