Igor Shesterkin Looking For Bounce Back Performance After Storming Off Ice In Tampa Bay

Igor Shesterkin and the New York Rangers were in Tampa Bay on Saturday night for a matchup with the Lightning that would end in a 6-2 defeat for the Blueshirts. Shesterkin was pulled after allowing five goals on just 14 shots against. The performance was uncharacteristic for a goalie that many consider to be the best in the world, but illustrated the struggles the Rangers have been facing for the last few months.

Shesterkin's performance wasn't the only thing people latched onto, however. After being pulled, an emotional Shesterkin stormed down the tunnel to the New York Rangers locker room rather than sitting on the bench as the back up normally does. Eventually, Shesterkin returned to the Rangers bench, prompting MSG commentators Joe Micheletti and Sam Rosen to comment on the situation.

Rosen said:

""You see the look on his face, you see how much he's hurting inside emotionally.""

Sam Rosen, MSG commentator

Shesterkin was obviously frustrated and upset after allowing so many goals in such little time. When the bar is set so high for a goalie, and they fail to save even 70% of the shots they face, it's understandable why they would react so intensley to being pulled. The performance is a reflection of a larger issue for the Rangers, though. Out of their last seven games, the Blueshirts have lost six and their offense has fallen silent.

It would be difficult for any goaltender to win when the team in front of him can't seem to figure out their offensive rhythm, but it's especially frustrating when the defense isn't clicking either.

The Rangers and Shesterkin are in Sunrise, Florida tonight for a matchup with the Florida Panthers and are desperately looking to turn things around. The Panthers have also struggled offensively as of late, being shutout in back to back games. Although it seems unlikely, the Rangers have an excellent opportunity to reverse their fortune tonight in Florida.

Despite the score, the Blueshirts did a lot of good things against Tampa Bay, and if they can translate those aspects of their game, along with a strong rebound performance from Igor Shesterkin, to tonight's mathup, a momentum-spawning win against the Panthers is entirely possible.