Igor Shesterkin is back in playoff form for the New York Rangers at the perfect time

It seems that the New York Rangers are indeed back. Since the new year, the Blueshirts have amassed a record of 8-1-3, earning points in about 92 percent of their games. One of the biggest reasons for this run of form is the return of starting goaltender Igor Shesterkin. In late December, Shesterkin was injured in a game against the Florida Panthers and was placed on injured reserve by the Rangers. Shesterkin would miss the next four Rangers games, during which the Blueshirts went 2-1-1, thanks in large part to veteran goalie Jonathan Quick.

Shesterkin made his return on Jan. 9 when the Rangers played host to their rival New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden. The 29-year-old goaltender made 21 of 23 saves in a 3-2 Rangers overtime win, setting the tone for the next few weeks of games.

In his following three starts, Shesterkin earned a record of 2-0-1, with wins over the Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Hockey Club. In his lone loss, Shesterkin and the Rangers fell to the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in overtime, with the goaltender posting a save percentage of just .885.

Shesterkin was posting decent numbers since his return, but since Jan. 18, he's caught fire. On the 18th, Shesterkin made 27 saves in a 1-0 shutout victory over the red hot Columbus Blue Jackets. On the 21st, Shesterkin did it again, shutting out the Ottawa Senators 5-0 while making 20 saves. Two nights later, on the 23rd, Shesterkin stopped 33 of 34 shots in a 6-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. In his last three starts, Igor Shesterkin has saved 80 of 81 shots on goal, earned two shutouts, and posting a save percentage of .988.

Shesterkin is playing his best hockey of the season at the absolute most opportune time for the New York Rangers. At the end of 2024, it seemed as though the Blueshirts had completely fallen off- trading away their captain and Kaapo Kakko. The team sat close to dead last in the Metropolitan Division and couldn't seem to score a goal or make a save. Since the new year the team seems to be reborn, with their most expensive player in Igor Shesterkin leading the way.

The Rangers now sit just one point out of a wild card spot for the postseason with plenty of hockey left to play. Shesterkin has played some of the best hockey of his career in the playoffs, helping the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference Final in two of the last three seasons. If the highest-paid goalie in NHL history can keep up his current run of form, it's hard to imagine the Rangers missing out on the postseason.