Rangers Suffer Double Loss: Game and Shesterkin

The New York Rangers lost 3-2 in overtime to the Utah Mammoth on Monday evening. However, the impact paled in comparison to the Rangers losing a key player. Igor Shesterkin was injured in the first period, leaving the ice with what looked to be a potentially serious left leg injury. If the star goaltender is sidelined long term, his absence could change how the Blueshirts handle the pre-and post- Olympics trade deadlines.

Rangers game synopsis

• Shesterkin was injured as he attempted to thwart JJ Peterka, who was charging the net. Peterka made limited – if any – contact with the goaltender’s right pad, but the injury is to his left leg. Per the video below, Shesterkin looked like his left skate got stuck a little and he overextended. The broadcast noted that the Russian superstar slammed his stick on the ice, screaming in pain. He needed assistance to make it off the ice and down the tunnel to the locker room.
• Jonathan Quick was fine standing in for Igor. The loss is not on Quick, who stopped 14 of 17 shots and would see most of the action between the pipes for as long as Shesterkin is sidelined. Dylan Garard, up previously, though never appearing in a game, would back up Quick. Garand’s play has improved the past or so and he should get an opportunity to start if Igor is out for a while.
• Quick got off to a great start to the season. Unfortunately, the veteran has leveled off his last few appearances. He can handle the role short-term but would wear down over an extended period of time. Plus, Igor’s absence will likely have an emotional impact on an already fragile team. It’s proper to wonder if Igor is to miss several weeks or longer if GM Chris Drury decides to sell rather than buy. 

• James Dolan spoke on the Craig Carton show Monday. Dolan, who rarely speaks publicly, discussed the Knicks and Rangers in the interview. On the Blueshirts, Dolan noted that he believes in Drury, meaning that the clarion call from the fanbase to fire the current GM will fall on deaf ears. Dolan highlighted that the coaching change was due to the need to install a new culture. In addition, culture doesn’t change overnight and that Drury and coach Mike Sullivan are installing that new culture. Surprisingly, Dolan seemed to be fine with a long term approach rather than a short term fix. 

This view coupled with Igor’s injury could result in Drury deciding to sell rather than chase a playoff spot. 

Thoughts and observations

• The Rangers had a solid first two periods but cratered in the third. Utah carried play,  using their forecheck to turn the puck over and prevent New York from gaining and maintaining the offensive zone. While the shots on goal were only 5-3 by the Kraken, that doesn’t accurately reflected the zone time they had.
• The key to the game was the Blueshirts’ failure at times to get the puck. Both regulation goals were a direct result of not getting the puck deep, creating a counter attack opportunity. The end result in those cases were a goal against, both times tying the game. 
• Urho Vaakanainen was victimized on the second goal. He started off in the wrong position and then Michael Carcone used his body to ward off Vaakanainen and get to the front of the net to beat Quick and tie the game. Vaakanainen dressed in place of Mathew Robertson, and as noted by Vince Mercogliano, had a 38.74 expected goals-for rate. 
• Many first-guessed the decision to start him over Robertson. The end results showed we were accurate. Look for Robertson to play Thursday against Buffalo.
• Power play : Causation or correlation to the return of Adam Fox? Two goals yesterday, five since Fox was activated. Unfortunately, they didn’t generate much on the final man advantage they had late in the third. Utah did a better job of limiting time and space, though New York did get a little pass happy. The best chance was Mika Zibanejad, who had two assists, hitting the post short side, though I don’t think any room existed to score.