New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin suspected he would struggle to match his amazing numbers that won him the Vezina Trophy last season, but support from goalkeeping coach Benoît Allaire enabled him to do very well nonetheless to show achievements.
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The Russian, author of a 36-13-4 record punctuated by six shutouts in 2021-2022, has been almost stubborn, his .935 efficiency rating being a good testament to that. Admittedly, a slowdown was to be expected during this season, only it helped the blueshirts place themselves well on the table. His record of 30-11-7 and odds of .910 remain interesting enough that his team ranks third in the Metropolitan Division of the National Hockey League with 86 points.
Allaire also embodies a comforting presence for Shesterkin, who has found a listening ear in good times and bad.
“There was a bit more dialogue between the two of us than last year. He knows what to say to a guard. It gets into your head and tries to find a way to help you,” Number 31 told the New York Post on Tuesday.
Head coach Gerard Gallant also emphasized the quality of the work of the 59-year-old, who has been the Rangers goalkeeping coach since 2014.
“I didn’t know much about Benny [avant d’arriver à New York en 2021], but he was excellent, he praised. Of course the bouncers who have been here have had tremendous success and that has a lot to do with him.”
Big period
If Shesterkin is replaced by Henrik Lundqvist, who was the club’s most trusted man at the net for 15 years, he hopes to achieve what the Swede could never achieve: get his hands on the Stanley Cup. And he wants to be in good form when the next rounds start.
“It’s in my head, I don’t want to lie to you. I’m trying to focus on today though, because you never know what can happen. The schedule is tight and we have to watch our game.
The New Yorkers will get even more prepared for typical playoff hockey on Thursday and Saturday when they play the Pittsburgh Penguins, whom they defeated in the first round in 2022.