After allowing five goals on just 25 shots on Monday night, Sal says the Rangers could have a big problem if Igor Shesterkin doesn’t return to elite form by the postseason.
The Blueshirts, losers of four of their last six after a torrid start to the season, have gotten plenty from Jonathan Quick in a backup role, but their starting netminder has an .889 save percentage over his last 11 games, allowing four goals or more five times in that span.
“There have been some moments in this season so far where you thought maybe Igor was gonna get back to last year’s form, and he just follows it up with a stinker,” Sal said. “I’m not blaming him totally for [Monday] night. The guys in front of him not doing their job, it’s a team effort, whatever. But you can’t argue Igor - who was the best goalie in the league a year ago - is nowhere close to that this year, and that’s gonna be a major problem for the Rangers.”
Shesterkin battled injury earlier in the season, and it’s possible he could still be working his way back to form physically. He has also shown he has the ability to carry a team in the postseason. But Sal says it will likely be another early playoff exit for New York if this is the version of Shesterkin they get come April.
“If he is not the best goalie in the league like he was last year,” Sal said. “I don’t care how good they are elsewhere, they’re not winning the Stanley Cup.”