Penguins

They Want Igor, Too: Rangers Sticking With Shesterkin for Game 5

Published

2 years ago

May 9, 2022

New York Rangers, Igor Shesterkin's tough night

The Pittsburgh Penguins have knocked New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin out of the past two games in their first-round playoff series.

And they apparently will get a chance to do it again when the teams meet in Game 5 Wednesday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

While speaking with reporters after the Penguins’ 7-2 victory in Game 4 Monday night at PPG Paints Arena, Rangers coach Gerard Gallant made it clear that he’s not interested in turning to Alexander Georgiev, who replaced Shesterkin after the first period in Game 3 and after 40 minutes in Game 4.

“He’ll be back in there ready to win on Wednesday,” said Gallant, who described Shesterkin as “the best goalie in the league.”

One thing Shesterkin won’t have to deal with Wednesday is the kind of hostile crowd that tormented him during Games 3 and 4 at PPG Paints Arena. Among other things, the fans taunted him with a “We Want Igor” chant after he was pulled Monday.

Shesterkin, who is the favorite to win the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goaltender in the regular season, is 1-2 in this series, with a 4.26 goals-against average and .905 save percentage.

Georgiev, in two appearances, is 0-1, with a 2.05 goals-against average and .935 save percentage.

No fewer than 10 Penguins players have at least one goal in the series, with Jake Guentzel leading the pack with five. Sidney Crosby, meanwhile, has scored two goals and assisted on seven others to drive the Pittsburgh Penguins’ offense.