Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin is back in top form, has won six straight starts
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin looks at his stick during a stoppage in the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. Credit: AP/Derik Hamilton
PHILADELPHIA — Igor Shesterkin is back. And he knows why.
But he’s not saying.
“It’s a secret,” the goalie joked after making 39 saves in the Rangers’ 2-1 victory over the Flyers on Saturday. The Rangers have won 10 in a row, tying a club record.
Shesterkin, who has struggled at times this season, has won six straight starts. In his last three, he has stopped 118 of 121 shots.
“Everything’s the same,” Shesterkin said. “Puck’s the same size. I see the puck [at the] same speed. Everything’s the same, but the guys played awesome in front of me and I just started to touch the puck more.”
Peter Laviolette credited Shesterkin with keeping the Rangers in a scoreless game through the first period, when they were outshot 18-9. Shesterkin preserved a one-goal lead in the third period, at one point stopping defenseman Travis Sanheim on a shorthanded breakaway attempt with just under 10 minutes left.
“He seems really focused right now,” Laviolette said. “We still let up some big chances tonight. He made big saves.”
Ex-Rangers coach dies
The Rangers offered condolences on X (formerly Twitter) after the passing of former coach Jean-Guy Talbot, who died Thursday at 91.
“The Rangers mourn the passing of former Head Coach Jean-Guy Talbot,” the post said. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Talbot’s death was announced on Friday by the Canadiens. The defenseman was one of 12 Montreal players to win five consecutive Stanley Cups from 1956-60. Only Don Marshall, 91, is still alive from that group, according to NHL.com.
Talbot coached the Rangers in the 1977-78 season, going 30-37-13. Talbot was famous for wearing a track suit behind the bench when he coached the team.
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
