Igor Shesterkin’s stellar performance in goal guided the New York Rangers to a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. He made 27 saves throughout the game and was flawless in the shootout, stopping all three Blue Jackets shooters, including Kent Johnson, Adam Fantilli, and Kirill Marchenko. The lone goal of the game came from Vincent Trocheck in the second round of the shootout, securing the Rangers’ win. This victory marked the Rangers’ second consecutive win, extending their strong form.
Rangers’ Strong Defensive Play and Shesterkin’s Shutout
Shesterkin’s shutout was his first since the season opener on October 9, and it was a testament to the Rangers’ improved defense. The goalie’s solid play, coupled with the defensive unit’s efforts, held the Blue Jackets scoreless throughout the game. Rangers coach Peter Laviolette praised Shesterkin for his consistency, noting that goaltending was crucial in maintaining the team’s competitive edge. Despite being outshot in the first period, the Rangers managed to regain control, with Shesterkin playing a key role in ensuring the game remained scoreless through regulation.
Although the Rangers were outshot 15-4 in the first period, they adjusted their play and began to dominate the shot count, outshooting the Blue Jackets 22-12 over the final two periods. Laviolette highlighted the team’s resilience after a shaky start, and the Rangers’ defense tightened up significantly after the first period. Shesterkin was particularly sharp, making important saves like stopping Cole Sillinger’s redirect early in the game and Chris Kreider’s power-play deflection in the first period. These key stops kept the Blue Jackets from capitalizing on early opportunities.
Blue Jackets’ Strong Defensive Effort in Loss
Despite the loss, the Blue Jackets were not without their own moments of excellence. Goalie Daniil Tarasov made 26 saves, including critical stops on Mika Zibanejad’s breakaways in overtime. Head coach Dean Evason acknowledged the strong play from both teams, noting that while the game wasn’t filled with high-scoring action, the effort and patience were evident. The Blue Jackets were able to stay composed and minimize mistakes, but in the end, they couldn’t find a way past Shesterkin or capitalize on their chances, especially during the shootout.
The game moved into a tense shootout after neither team could break the deadlock in regulation or overtime. Trocheck’s goal in the second round, after Tarasov left the blocker side open, was enough to secure the win for New York. Shesterkin continued his excellence, stopping Fantilli and Marchenko to seal the victory. Trocheck reflected on his decision to target the blocker side, which proved to be the game-winning strategy. Shesterkin’s save on Marchenko in the shootout was a crucial moment, as his sharp anticipation sealed the Rangers’ hard-fought victory.
