Rangers Goaltender Shesterkin Shines on His Birthday
In a recent game against the Hurricanes, Igor Shesterkin showcased his skills, making 33 saves and securing a point for the Rangers. This performance came just a day before he celebrated his 30th birthday, marking his first season under an impressive eight-year, $92 million contract he signed last year.
After Tuesday’s practice at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia, head coach Mike Sullivan shared insights about Shesterkin. He mentioned, “Age is a relative term,” emphasizing that various factors contribute to how players develop over time. Some might seem to age faster than others, but passion, work ethic, and training routines play significant roles. Sullivan praised Shesterkin’s recent performance as something truly elite.
At 30, Shesterkin brings a wealth of experience to the ice. Sullivan noted his status as one of the league’s top goaltenders, suggesting that age can bring valuable wisdom.
As of Tuesday, Shesterkin was one of only three NHL goaltenders to have started at least 30 games this season. However, he faced a tough stretch in late November and early December, allowing points in seven consecutive games while backup Jonathan Quick was sidelined with an injury.
Despite those challenges, Shesterkin holds the best save percentage (.910) and goals against average (2.51) among the trio, outperforming goalies like Juice Saros from the Predators and Dustin Wolf from the Flames. He’s also recorded the highest total saves (817) among the 29 goalies who started at least 20 games, with Saros trailing behind by over 70 saves.
Looking ahead, Adam Edstrom is set to miss his 15th straight game against the Capitals on Wednesday due to a lower-body injury, and Sullivan mentioned that Edstrom hasn’t yet resumed skating.
On another note, rookie Noah Laba was seen at practice with stitches on his pinky finger, a result of a slash he took during a previous game.
The Rangers are scheduled to practice in Miami on Thursday afternoon at the home of the Miami Marlins, ahead of their Winter Classic game against the Panthers. Following practice, players will have some family time on the ice, adding a personal touch to the team’s routine.
