New York Rangers Beat the Toronto Maple Leafs as Igor Shesterkin Shines Once More
Your New York Rangers walk away from Toronto with the two points firmly in hand, thanks to the heroics of Igor Shesterkin. New York ran out 4-1 winners from Scotiabank Arena, largely down to the Russian netminder as he stopped 34 of 35 shots. He was sparkling as always for the New York Rangers, getting the first start of the game honors for his performance, and he continues to show why he is asking for as much money as he is.
New York opened the scoring through the top line. Some sustained offensive zone pressure would see a point shot deflected by Vincent Trocheck in front. Anthony Stolarz is equal to it, but Alexis Lafreniere was right there to scoop up the rebound and send it home from the slot to break the ice in Toronto. A great shot for the Quebecois winger, and the Rangers led early in this one.
New York would double its lead in the second period on a delayed penalty. A cross-slot pass would find a deflection off the stick of Rielly Smith before making its way through to Mika Zibanejad. Zibanejad picks his head up and sees the typical shot pass to the far post where Chris Kreider waits. Kreider doesn't miss from his office, and the Rangers take a 2-0 lead halfway through the game, with Igor Shesterkin sparkling all the while.
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Toronto would eventually cut into the lead with 16 minutes left in the game. New York couldn't find a clearance as Auston Matthews turns Adam Fox inside out. K'Andre Miller is preoccupied with another Leafs forward, and it means that once the reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner breaks away from Fox, he's all alone. Shesterkin had been exceptional, but he didn't have hope on that one, and the Leafs cut the lead in half.
But from there, the Rangers would shut the door. Two empty net goals from Kreider and Artemi Panarin would put the icing on the cake. New York snapped the Leafs ' 3-game win streak, and the Rangers moved to 4-0-1 on the young season. It was a fantastic game for the Blueshirts, and the Rangers get to look ahead to Tuesday's games with some patience.