The New York Rangers have been dealt a lot of blows this season, including losing 15 of their last 19, but the biggest punch of them all might have come Monday afternoon - Igor Shesterkin, the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history, was placed on the injured reserve with an upper-body injury.
Though Shesterkin has not been great lately, when he's at his best, he steals wins for the Rangers; New York's last win came in a 2-1 victory in Dallas, where the 29-year-old made 41 saves and the Blueshirts held on. But, he has given up nine goals in his last two starts, and now heads to the injured reserve.
New York currently sits in last in the Metropolitan Division with 33 points, and if it wants any chance to save the season, the Rangers will have to find ways to win without Shesterkin.
Where does that start? Obviously with Jonathan Quick, who will take over starting goaltender responsibilities in Shesterkin's absence. Quick has lost his last three starts, giving up 14 goals. but he had lots of days off in between. The 38-year-old has not had back-to-back starts once this season.
But, this is exactly why the Rangers re-signed quick in the middle of the 2023-2024 season. He was one of the best backup goaltenders in the NHL - he was the first ever Ranger to go undefeated in his first 10 starts - and finished with an 18-6-2 record, along with a .911 save percentage and 2.62 GAA.
Last year, Shesterkin missed 16 days in November with an injury, and in his abscence Quick played well. He's going to need to do the same, especially with the number of shots the Rangers give up.
New York also needs a much better defensive effort in front of the winnigest American goaltender in NHL history. One of the biggest problems during this major skid has been mistakes in the defensive zone, turnovers that lead to odd-man rushes and just poor defensive play overall. The Blueshirts cannot rely on Quick and expect him to make the same extraordinary saves (he has shown the capacity to, though).
Jonathan Quick with the scorpion save 😱🔥 pic.twitter.com/UAON3J3SAc
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) December 30, 2023
Out of the Christmas, the Rangers have spent more time in the offensive zone. They outshot both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers, and to state the obvious, more time in the offensive zone is better.
Lastly, the Blueshirts need an all-around 180 regardless of who is in goal. The biggest difference is that they do not have the same elite goaltender in Shesterkin to steal games. Quick might have some heroics, but the way they play clearly has to change.
Or else, when their Vezina-winning goalie returns, the season will already be over.