Riding a hot-handed goaltender is often a go-to move for NHL coaches. The logic is simple: reward the best-performing netminder. If that goaltender’s play slips, re-insert the benched shot-stopper, rinse, repeat, and so on. Competition breeds results, right?
Well, the goaltending position is complicated. Riding the hot hand isn’t a cookie-cutter solution for every scenario. For the New York Rangers, there’s an expectation that Igor Shesterkin will assert himself as a clear-cut franchise netminder.
A small sample size of his first 12 NHL games – a 10-2-0 record, .932 save percentage, and 2.52 goals-against average – suggested that Shesterkin could make the starter’s net his own. By comparison, his start to the 2020-21 season has been bumpy.
Through his first four appearances of the new campaign, Shesterkin has slumped to a 0-2-0 record, .886 save percentage, and 2.99 goals-against average. Meanwhile, Alexandar Georgiev has fared better with a 1-1-0 record, .907 save percentage, and 2.40 goals-against average.
Head coach David Quinn has opted to start Georgiev for Tuesday’s game with the Buffalo Sabres. Should Georgiev put in a strong performance, Quinn might consider throwing him back between the pipes for Thursday’s rematch against Buffalo.
In the short term, riding Georgiev or alternating between the two goaltenders isn’t a bad strategy. Yet, anyone who has followed Shesterkin’s progress closely understands his tremendous upside and the need to harness his full potential.
That’s why Quinn and the Rangers must carefully weigh the merits of immediate results versus the long-term vision. An open goaltending competition could fuel short-term victories, yet what the Blueshirts need the most is a confident version of Shesterkin who isn’t looking over his shoulder or relegated to sharing the net 50-50.
The goaltending position is uniquely demanding. It’s an all eyes on you situation.
Every fraction of movement and technique is dissected and discussed. There’s nowhere to hide. A forward or defenseman can make a costly mistake, take a breather on the bench, and bounce back in their next shift. A goaltender doesn’t have that luxury, because they’re under constant duress and a white-hot spotlight.
They say that the post is a goaltender’s best friend – but in all actuality, it’s rhythm. Shesterkin succeeded last season because he was given a consistent run of games from January to March. I think Shesterkin would have benefitted greatly if the Rangers approached training camp and this season with a clear endorsement of his status as the team’s No. 1 netminder.
Instead, Quinn and the Blueshirts have prioritized letting results dictate the dividing of playing time between Shesterkin and Georgiev. Though it’s a fair system, a situation where the two goaltenders share the net close to evenly could delay Shesterkin from reaching his full potential. What the Rangers need the most is Shesterkin ready to play at an elite level once the organization’s rebuilding efforts turn to a win-now proposition.
Anyone can see right now that Shesterkin’s confidence has dipped. This was apparent throughout Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Pittsburgh Penguins, where he allowed atypical goals against. The Penguins won the contest on a five-hole drive by Jake Guentzel. It was the kind of shot that Shesterkin typically saves.
I think we’d be seeing a different version of Shesterkin had the Rangers told him this during training camp: “You’re our guy. If you get off to a slump, we’re sticking with you. We expect you to start in roughly eight of 12 games to open the season.”
That kind of endorsement should have been communicated to the player and expressed repeatedly to the media. This should have been the messaging: “Shesterkin opens the season as our No. 1 goaltender. We have a great option in Georgiev, but we’re going to give Shesterkin the trust to build on what he accomplished last season.”
Instead, this was Quinn’s messaging:
“In this season, every team in this league is going to have to rely on their two goalies,” Quinn said during training camp. “We're fortunate because we feel that we have two No. 1 goalies. I'm not just saying that. (Georgiev) has had a good career so far. I think he's ready to make the next step. (Shesterkin), in a small sample, certainly proved he can be a really good goalie at this level. We feel we have great goaltending depth and both of these guys are going to be contributors. We're certainly going to lean on both of them during the course of the season.”
See the difference?
Shesterkin’s talent is such that he’ll eventually overcome this rough patch. His talent will allow him to grab hold of the lion’s share of ice time sooner rather than later. That said, the Rangers can accelerate their rebuilding plans and Shesterkin’s growth putting him a position to succeed.
Follow Sean Hartnett on Twitter: @HartnettHockey
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