Igor Shesterkin, the Vezina Trophy favorite, allowed five goals in a nightmare second period on Monday night, and was pulled for the second straight game after dominating the Penguins in the regular season.
It has been an uncharacteristic struggle for Shesterkin, who many expected could help put New York on his back for a deep playoff run. But head coach Gerard Gallant pointed to deflections and “soft” play in front of him as reasons for his nightmare second period, and Sheterkin’s teammates didn’t put any blame on their goalie either.
“I think he’s just kind of one of us. We weren't playing very good in front of him,” Andrew Copp said. “Definitely was not him at all.”
The Rangers’ defensive depth was a concern when assessing their playoff potential, and they were run out of the arena in Pittsburgh, where the Penguins scored seven goals in back to back games. In New York, Shesterkin stopped 79 shots in a triple overtime loss, so his elite play has shown itself in the playoffs already. It will have to again, and again, if the Rangers are to pull off a comeback.
But his teammates in front say they’re the ones who will have to step it up.
It’s gonna be up to every guy in the room to pull together…and do what we can to win game five.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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