The Philadelphia Flyers blitzed Igor Shesterkin for four goals in the second period on Saturday, and it looked like the New York Rangers were about to drop yet another game on home ice. What happened next is something that fans have come to know and love with Igor, and that is his ability to lock in and turn into a brick wall. After surrendering the fourth goal, Shesterkin stopped all 11 of the remaining shots he faced, and shots by Trevor Zegras and Travis Konecny in the shootout. It was a great come from behind victory for the Rangers, and in the postgame Shesterkin reminded everyone why he's such a special player for the organization.
Igor Shesterkin takes full blame and reminds everyone why he sets the standard
Shesterkin was very quick to hold himself accountable for why the Rangers were in a situation in which they needed to come from behind, and his brutal honesty is what makes him special. Shesterkin said, "We went the second period without a goalie." He added on that saying, "they were easy goals. I was upset, but I just tried to come back and give us a chance to win. We played so well in the offensive zone today. I owe dinner for everyone."
Igor entered the league back during the 2019-20 season, and in that time he's posted a 105.25 goals saved above average which is second only to Connor Hellebuyck's 147.25, a feat the reigning MVP and Vezina winner compiled in 72 additional games played. Shesterkin also has stopped 136.52 goals above expected in that time frame, and is once again second to Hellebuyck who has stopped 190.91 per Evolving-Hockey.
Shesterkin's play in the regular season has been exemplary, and those totals highlight how he's been the Rangers' backbone since joining the organization. In the playoffs he's posted a 27.45 GSAA which is No. 1 since he's entered the league, as is his 48.19 GSAx.
What is impressive is that he's only appeared in 44 playoff games, Jake Oettinger (15.62) is second in GSAA and has appeared in 65 games, and Sergei Bobrovsky (37.33) who is second in GSAx has appeared in 83 games. That Shesterkin has double digit leads in both categories in a considerable amount of fewer games is very impressive.
Shesterkin's standing in the league should buy him off nights, but he always keeps himself honest
This long established track record of dominance should give Shesterkin a significant amount of cover when he has a performance like he did on Saturday, but he's always the first to call himself out and take the blame for poor play and not use one of the many "get out of jail free cards" that he's collected. His comments on Saturday reminded me of a 5-3 loss against the New Jersey Devils a couple of seasons ago, and it was an early example of Shesterkin taking accountability which has continued on to this day.
Igor put this one on him: “The goalie played a shit game again… I’m ashamed.” #NYR
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) November 29, 2022
Shesterkin is always going to tell it like it is, and that is something that likely endears himself to the fanbase who is very much a "what have you done for me lately?" crowd.
Shesterkin routinely puts the Rangers in a position to win
Saturday's win was Shesterkin's 15th of the season which puts him in a tie with four other netminders for the league lead. Prior to the game he also ranked seventh in GSAA on the season with 8.76, and eighth in GSAx with 14.92 per Evolving-Hockey. All things considered, Shesterkin has not been one of the Rangers' biggest problems this season. It is easy to look at his four-goal second period and have a meltdown, but there's other factors at play that need to be considered.
It is easy to get mad at the goalie, but the Rangers have scored just 94 goals in 37 games which puts them 28th in the league. That equates to 2.54 goals per game which is third worst in the entire league. The slim margin of error that the team operates on is not sustainable, and that they've won as many games as they have is a testament to how well Shesterkin has played.
If the Rangers are going to turn the corner and be a sustainable winner, they need to figure the offense out. The defense and Shesterkin have done their part for what has been nearly the first half of the season, and the offense needs to join the party soon. They have another chance on Sunday to do that against Nashville, and then again in Washington before the team gets a few days off at the holiday break.