Many on social media were in awe of Igor Shesterkin’s tape-to-tape pass to Mika Zibanjejad from the other end of the ice to step up the go-ahead goal in game six of Friday night’s win over the Penguins.
Shesterkin’s teammates weren’t quite as surprised, as they’ve watched Shesterkin keep track of assists he feels he wasn’t credited for all season, but they were still impressed at the incredible play which capped a three-goal surge for the Blueshirts.
“I think you’ve guys have seen it before,” Mika Zibanejad said. He’s gone for the empty net a couple times. His passing is sometimes better than all of us. That pass certainly was something.
“I don’t want to say ‘expected,’ but I looked up and with the pass coming from a goalie, just try to get open. They were kind of changing, it landed perfectly flat on my tape, and Kreids banged the rebound.”
During Zibanejad’s response, after saying that the goalie’s passes are sometimes better than the forwards’ Chris Kreider cut in with agreement.
“Much better than mine,” Kreider said.
Most importantly, Shesterkin remained composed in net to get the Rangers a win on the road, where the Hart and Vezina Trophy finalist had been chased twice in a row before Friday’s win, setting up a do-or-die game seven at The Garden on Sunday.
“That's Igor. He's a competitor,” Kreider said. “Done it all year for us…he battles. That’s what he does. He’s been our best player all year and continues to be our best player.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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