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Rangers Report Cards: Grading the Goaltenders

By Marvin Azrak

COLUMBUS, OHIO - APRIL 08: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers looks on during the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on April 08, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - APRIL 08: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers looks on during the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on April 08, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images) /
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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – MARCH 30: Igor Shesterkin, #31 of the New York Rangers, skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 30, 2023, in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – MARCH 30: Igor Shesterkin, #31 of the New York Rangers, skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 30, 2023, in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Rangers Report Cards: Igor Shesterkin: A (A)

Igor Shesterkin is the real deal. Last season, he went full MVP mode and snagged the Vezina Trophy. It was one of the greatest seasons by a netminder of all time. He went 36-14-4 with a .935 save percentage, a 2.62 Goals against average, and a +34.1 Goals Saved Above Expected. Talk about making waves, right?

And guess what? He didn’t stop there. He was lights-out again this season, keeping the Blueshirts breathing for as long as possible. The CZAR has filled in seamlessly for the legendary King and Hall of Famer, Henrik Lundqvist.

This season, the reigning Vezina winner ranked in the top 10 for save percentage among goalies who played 25+ games this season.
That said, with just 216 goals against, suitable for 4th best in the NHL, you think the Rangers had some solid defense. Nope, there’s a reason Shesterkin was fifth in goals saved above expected, +28.1, according to Moneypuck.

Yes, New York might have surrendered many shots in quantity and quality, but Shestekrin was their guardian angel.
Shesterkin allowed 144 goals in the regular season, yet it’s great when you consider his expected goals against was 172.05. And while he might not have been as sharp on the penalty kill, allowing 31 goals compared to 18 in 2021-22, the guy was a brick wall at even strength, placing fourth in the NHL with a +21.8 Goals Saved Above Expected.

Now, why did his numbers take a slight dip? Blame it on a slow start. His first months were shaky, with several games below a .900 save %. However, he pulled it together and finished strong. He’s a top goalie in the league, so even with a few off games, he still rocked the tenth-best save % at  .916.

Shesterkin is the goalie to watch. Don’t just take my word for it; the hockey world knows it too. For the second straight season, Shesterkin was ranked the second-best goaltender, according to Jfresh’s widespread fan poll.

The team adores him. Fans practically chant “IGOR! IGOR! IGOR!” in their sleep. After an epic season last year, he followed it up with another stellar run.

He was the backbone of the Rangers, hands down. Without Shesterkin, the New Jersey Devils might have turned the Rangers into a pancake in less than seven games. Those Devils were a force at even strength and even managed to tame the Rangers’ power play. Yet Shesterkin was having none of it. He shut doors left and right, only letting in more than two goals twice. He finished the series with a + 8.8 Goals Saved Above Expected.

Sure, they didn’t go all the way, but his performance was MVP-worthy. If the Rangers went the distance, Shesterkin likely would be your Conn Smythe winner.

Man, the Rangers lucked out with Shesterkin. Transitioning from one great goalie to another is like winning the lottery twice. The 28-year-old’s locked in for two more years at a $5.6 million cap hit. It’s safe to say that Shesterkin is the Rangers’ superstar between the pipes, and there’s no stopping him.

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