Rangers taking a defensive refresher course during practice sessions
Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin stops a shot on goal during the third period of an NHL game against the Panthers on Monday at Madison Square Garden. Credit: AP/Frank Franklin II
GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Some eyebrows were raised when Igor Shesterkin didn’t appear for his star of the game designation or postgame interviews after his stellar performance in Monday’s 4-3 victory over Florida at the Garden.
Was there an injury? Was Shesterkin annoyed about something having to do with Florida's three-goal third period as the Rangers almost let a 4-0 lead get away? Did the goalie want to get a head start on the Rangers’ day off after a grueling stretch?
None of the above, coach Gerard Gallant revealed on Wednesday.
Shesterkin was troubled on Monday by a stomach bug (as was the coach). That information made Shesterkin’s 42-save performance even more impressive.
The Rangers are off until Saturday, so Shesterkin will get plenty of time to rest and the team will get plenty of time to try and keep that bug from going around the dressing room.
After taking a break on Tuesday, the Rangers returned to practice with an emphasis on shoring up the defensive and third-period lapses that have plagued them during a 7-3-3 start.
"We worked hard on the 'D'-zone coverage there this morning," Gallant said. "Kind of working different things. When you play that many games we played and been on the road, you don’t get a chance to practice. So just some refreshers, that’s all."
Gallant said the mood in the room is "awesome," but added: "Last game, I was upset after the game personally because I thought we were playing the best team in the league and we just let them back in that hockey game and we almost gave away two points. It was a great game for 57, 58 minutes, and then to give them two goals late and give them a chance to tie that hockey game, we were pretty upset . . . You wake up the next morning and say, ‘You know what? We’ve got to be better than that.’ "
That’s where the extended rink and skull session time this week should help.
"We’ve got some practice time this week to fix some things up," Gallant said. "Hopefully, that’ll work, because we’re not that bad of a defensive team that we’ve showed the last few games, giving those chances up."
Said Ryan Strome: "It’s definitely something we have to address. There’s no doubt. To say there isn’t is just lying . . . I think it’s a good chance to grow. A little adversity is a good thing and I think it’s a good time to face it now."
It could be considered proof of how far the Rangers have come already this season that they have the record they do when they’ve only played four home games.
"With the challenges that we’ve had with the schedule and stuff like that and a new coach and this and that, I think 7-3-3 is not bad," Strome said. "I think we’re happy with that."
Chytil update. Filip Chytil (upper-body injury) did not practice but has a chance to play on Saturday in Columbus, Gallant said.
Anthony Rieber covers sports media and business and professional sports (you know, games and trades and things). He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since Jan. 1, 2026.
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