Saturday night saw the Rangers take part in their first shootout of the season against the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets. The night marked the fourth time in six games that the Rangers needed extra time to settle a score — with the Blueshirts losing in two of the previous three. Despite multiple overtime opportunities, including two Mika Zibanejad breakaways, the Blueshirts couldn't find a goal from open play, and headed to a shootout with 26 shots taken, and 26 shots saved.
The Rangers elected to shoot first in the shootout, sending Artemi Panarin to set the tone. The 33-year-old made a move but hit the post- something the Rangers did multiple times throughout the night. Next up was Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson who was stopped by Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin.
#CBJ Kent Johnson denied by Shesterkin.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 19, 2025
Rangers Head Coach Peter Laviolette sent Vincent Trocheck out next for the Blueshirts and the forward made no mistake, swinging out wide on his approach, and firing a shot past Blue Jackets goaltender Daniil Tarasov.
Vincent Trocheck scores and Igor Shesterkin stopped all 27 in regulation and overtime - and then all 3 in the shootout for the @NYRangers win! pic.twitter.com/BhS2bXFq1y
— Rangers on MSG (@RangersMSGN) January 19, 2025
Trocheck was the perfect player to send in a high-pressure situation for the Rangers- boasting a career 37.7% success rate in shootouts in the NHL. The Trocheck goal would be followed by yet another Igor Shesterkin save against Columbus' Adam Fantilli, giving Reilly Smith the chance to secure the win for the Blueshirts. Tarasov would make a stop on Smith, meaning the game would come down to Kirill Marchenko's attempt on Shesterkin.
Shesterkin would stretch out on his stomach to make the save and earn the Rangers two big points in the standings. The save secured Shesterkin his second shutout of the season and brought the Rangers within three points of the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Igor Shesterkin shuts the door to give the Rangers the shootout win 🗽 pic.twitter.com/5j2MgxXCGa
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 19, 2025
The Blueshirts win brought the club to a record of 6-1-2 since the new year- a far cry from the way the team finished 2024. With the Rangers playing a multitude of games going to overtime as of late, it's been important for the club to earn that extra point whenever possible. Saturday night saw the continuation of important positive trends for the Blueshirts, and more progression toward making a playoff appearance come April.