Rangers' Alexandar Georgiev has another strong outing in goal against Flyers
Rangers' Alexandar Georgiev (40) makes a first-period save against the Philadelphia Flyers during an NHL hockey game Friday, April 23, 2021. Credit: AP/Bruce Bennett
Playing the second game of a back-to-back Friday against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Rangers stayed with the same lineup that lost Thursday’s game, 3-2. The only change coach David Quinn did make was his starting goaltender, turning to Alexandar Georgiev after Igor Shesterkin played Thursday.
"I didn’t think of going back to Shesty,’’ Quinn said before the game. "Georgie played well his last start [a 5-3 win over the Devils on Sunday] and we feel confident in both goaltenders.’’
Georgiev made 26 saves in a strong outing and improved his record against the Flyers this season to 3-0.
The key point in the game was when the Rangers killed a five-on-three power play for 1:22 late in the second period.
The Rangers already were killing a penalty for too many men on the ice when K’Andre Miller got called for tripping at 15:34. But the Rangers dug in and killed the disadvantage, which turned out to be a big lift.
"It was a huge deal for us,’’ Georgiev said. "The guys really stepped up. A couple great blocks, we took the puck out of the zone. It was a long five-on-three, so it helped a lot to not be there for a minute, 20 seconds. And for me, I just tried to be in position for anything, read the back-door plays, because they had two extra guys."
Quinn was asked before the game if Shesterkin, who has established himself as the No. 1 goaltender this season, will need to play both ends of a back-to-back at some point.
"At some point in time, Shesty will play back-to-back,’’ he said. "But [if he did Friday], that would be three in four, too, so that’s the other piece of the puzzle.’’
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
