Even on a night when the offensive line was almost non-existent, the Rangers continued their recent winning ways.
And it was almost entirely thanks to Igor Shesterkin. Not only was he perfect in regulation and overtime, but he was also perfect in Saturday's shootout against the Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden.
He blocked all three Columbus attempts and the Rangers got a shootout goal from Vincent Trocheck, which was all they needed.
Shesterkin's play was crucial for a team that has little room for error if it wants to make the postseason thanks to its ugly play early in the season.
A new important phase begins with a match against the Blue Jackets, who have won six straight games and have moved into the wild card spot at the top of the Eastern Conference.
This game was the first of a seven-game series in which the Rangers will play six games against the teams ahead of them in the East Division.
Head coach Peter Laviolette said before the game, “Obviously it took a lot of effort to see where we are now, where we need to go, who we need to go through.'' It doesn't take long.”
