Alexandar Georgiev's mastery of Isles isn't enough for Rangers this time
Rangers' Alexandar Georgiev stretches as players warm up for the team's NHL hockey game against the Islanders on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in New York. Credit: AP/Bruce Bennett
This time, not even Alexandar Georgiev’s mastery of the Islanders was enough to save the Rangers, who lost to their archrivals, 3-0, Saturday night.
Georgiev got the start in goal for the Rangers at Nassau Coliseum after Igor Shesterkin started Thursday in the 4-0 loss at the Garden.
According to Rangers coach David Quinn, it was the plan all along to split the two games against the Isles between Shesterkin and Georgiev.
Shesterkin fell to 0-4-1 this season with Thursday’s loss. Georgiev, who allowed three goals on 21 shots Saturday, fell to 7-3 against the Islanders in his career, with a 1.84 goals-against average, and .938 save percentage. He is 2-1 this season against the Islanders with one shutout.
Quinn was asked before Saturday’s game why he chose to go with Georgiev, after having gone with Shesterkin Thursday.
"Because he’s played very well against the Islanders, and it’s kind of what the plan was initially, to start Shesty one and Georgie here tonight,’’ he said
Gauthier suits up
Forward Julien Gauthier returned to the lineup after being scratched for the previous 14 games, starting out on a line with rookie Morgan Barron (making his NHL debut) and center Kevin Rooney.
"I think it's a good team for him to play against,’’ Quinn said when asked why Gauthier was put back in. "He's been working really hard throughout this stretch that he hasn't played, and you know, he's a big body who can skate. And when he keeps it simple, he's a very productive player. And that's what we need to do against these guys, so we thought it was a good opportunity to get him in.’’
Blue notes
D Tarmo Reunanen played his second NHL game, partnered with veteran Brendan Smith. Forwards Chris Kreider (lower-body injury, two games missed) and Brett Howden (fractured foot, done for the season) and defensemen Jacob Trouba (upper-body injury, possible concussion, six games missed) and Ryan Lindgren (upper body, possible concussion) were unavailable and forward Phillip DiGiuseppe was a healthy scratch.
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.
