Jaroslav Halak’s steady Rangers debut a sign of things come.
By Marvin Azrak
On July 13, goaltender Jaroslav Halak signed his 1 year $1.5million deal with the New York Rangers this past offseason.
The hope would be that he would bring stability in the net on nights when reigning Vezina-winner Igor Shesterkin needed a breather. In his Rangers debut on Friday night in Winnipeg, he went toe-toe with 2020 Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck of the Jets. Halak made 30 saves on 33 shots, keeping his exasperated teammates in the contest for 55:25 before Sam Gagner’s go-ahead goal led to New York tasting defeat for the first time this season, 4-1.
Jaroslav finished with a +1.29 “Goals saved above expected” on the evening, according to Clearsight Analytics.
One night after potting seven goals in Minnesota in their 7-3 victory, the Rangers managed a single Dryden Hunt tally. But the performance dip wasn’t for lack of effort, as Hellebuyck backstopped his team with 40 saves, including 21 in a clinical second stanza, overcoming a valiant effort from the Bluehshirts’ new second netminder. “I wasn’t disappointed with our offensive output; I was disappointed with our defense output,” coach Gerard Gallant said postgame.
Halak is no stranger to the Rangers, as he compiled a 24-9-1 career record against them before the two sides joined forces this Summer.
Over a 16-year career with the Montreal Canadians, St Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, New York Islanders, Bostin Bruins, and Vancouver Canucks, Halak, 33, posted a 285-180-64 overall record in 556 NHL games (531 starts) with 2.49 goals against average and a .916save%. The veteran is seemingly a better fit for the backup role than his predecessor Alexander Georgiev, who struggled to embrace his position after being outplayed by Shesterkin for the starter’s spot.
If watching Shesterkin last season was a joyride, watching Alex, aside from his 44-save late-season shutout against the Hurricanes, was a catastrophe. Georgiev had an 898save %, with a 2.92 GAA and a putrid -5 GSAx, before he was shipped to the reigning Stanley cup champion Colorado Avalanche where he signed a three-year extension. The deal filled the starters void for Colorado, left by Cup winner Darcey Kuemper who’s now with the Washington Capitals.
Given how the Avs are regarded as the NHL’s best defensive units, Alex should thrive in an environment that lends itself to a weaker workload for goalies.
He’s already 1-0 with his new club, making 15 saves on 17 shots in the Avs’ 5-2 season-opening win over the Chicago Blackhawks on banner night in Colorado this past Wednesday.
Last year in New York, Georgiev faced 25 shots per outing and was overwhelmed by the elevated count. In contrast, yes, he had clunkers, as does everyone, but Shesterkin showed no signs of succumbing to the constant pressure around the net, as a league-leading 31 of the 52 total Rangers victories came when they were outshot.
While having fewer shots doesn’t always mean you were outplayed, the defense also allowed a rousing 31 shots per game last season.
In the postseason, the. Blueshirts were outshot by double digits eight times yet were two wins away from the Stanley Cup final. Shesterkin’s brilliance was breathtaking, but despite being behind the same defense, the same unfortunately couldn’t be said for Georgiev.
Meanwhile, Halak, a backup to Thatcher Demko with the Vancouver Canucks, was slightly better than Alex with a similar defensive style, as Vancouver allowed 32 shots per game. The stalwart sported a .903 save %, a 2.94 GAA, and -0.71 goals saved above expected for the season.
This Summer, Shesterkin spoke to the Russian outlet RBC and talked about the change in partners.
“Competition with any goalkeeper should spur you on because, without it, there is no professional growth,” Shesterkin said. “Now our team has signed Jaroslav Halak. I am sure the competition will also be serious, plus you can learn something from him, as he is a very experienced goalkeeper. And I wish Alexander Georgiev only good luck.”
On Friday, Halak showed his experience and steadied the tide despite a sluggish evening from his new teammates. Those spot-start wins will eventually come for him if he maintains that level of performance.