Rangers coach David Quinn had promised, in one of his Zoom conferences last week, that he would not give his rookie goaltender Igor Shesterkin more than he believed the 25-year-old Russian could handle.
"He's played great hockey for us here during this stretch, and, to me there've been no signs of slowing down,’’ Quinn said after the Rangers’ morning skate Thursday.
In the four games he started before Thursday, Shesterkin had gone 3-0-1, allowing 10 goals on 129 shots (.922 save percentage) over 250 minutes (2.4 goals-against average).
Since returning to action March 25 after missing three weeks with a groin injury, Shesterkin had started six of the Rangers’ seven games entering Thursday.
Georgiev hasn’t played since March 19, and he also has a sparkling record against the Islanders (6-2 in eight career starts, with a 1.80 GAA, .941 save percentage and two shutouts, including one this season).
There is also the not minor consideration that the Rangers are desperate to try and hang in the playoff race, and every point they can earn matters.
- Devils vs Penguins Odds and Picks on April 9thSports Betting Dime
- How the Pittsburgh Penguins have overcome another season of the NHL's worst injury luckESPN
- Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers odds, picks and predictionAZCentral.com
- Game #39: Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers Open ThreadBlueshirt Banter
- Penguins vs. Rangers Betting Prediction (April 8, 2021)Pittsburgh Hockey Now
- Rangers vs. Penguins: Beware Pittsburgh after a bad lossBluelinestation.com
- Tim Benz: As schedule eases, Penguins can't afford a slump with points on the tableTribLIVE
- Game 40 Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers 4/8/2021: lines, how to watchPensBurgh
- New York puts home win streak on the line against PenguinsTribDem.com
