MONTREAL — Igor Shesterkin will represent the Rangers at All-Star Weekend in February, but even the Russian netminder knows he probably wasn't the NHL's first choice.
“It's a great honor,” Shesterkin said before Jonathan Quick scored a goal and the Rangers lost 4-3 in a penalty shootout against the Canadiens at the Bell Center on Saturday night. “But the bread is worth it.” [more]”
The key, of course, is Artemi Panarin, the Rangers' leading scorer and the No. 4 scorer in the NHL (tied with the Canucks' Brock Boeser) entering Saturday night's game.
Panarin was probably chosen by the Rangers without hesitation. The star wing has scored points in 15 consecutive games since the start of the season, a team high, and has not slowed down yet.
But Panarin and his wife, Alisa, are expecting their second child in the meantime, making Shesterkin the next best option.
The NHL works with each team to select the first 32 players to participate in the All-Star Game, which is why the league knew not to select Panarin.
Shesterkin is currently the only goaltender representing the Eastern Conference, while the Kings' Cam Talbot, Stars' Jake Oettinger and Jets' Connor Hellebuyck were selected from the Western Conference.
With his second straight All-Star selection, Shesterkin becomes the sixth Rangers goalie in franchise history to join Henrik Lundqvist, Gilles Villemur, Ed Giacomin, Gump Worsley and Chuck Reiner.
Shesterkin posted a 16-8-0 record with a 2.75 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage through 24 games.
Vincent Trocheck, who had a goal and an assist on Saturday night, has nine points in the past four games. He recorded his 22nd primary assist of the season on Panarin's goal, tying him with Trocheck for third-most assists in the NHL.
Quick started Saturday against the Canadiens, marking his 13th start and 14th appearance of the season.
In 11 career games with the Habs, Quick has a 7-4-0 record with a 2.09 GAA and .926 save percentage. Quick, who brought the Rangers to within one point, made 27 saves in the shootout loss and has scored at least one point in 11 of his 13 starts this season.
The Rangers will have Sunday off before returning to play the Canucks on Sunday night at Madison Square Garden.
