Igor Shesterkin steals one again for shorthanded Rangers

Igor Shesterkin is very quickly turning heads around the league. He stole his second straight game for the shorthanded Rangers, this time in Nashville. In addition to the injuries, the Rangers are dealing with a new coach, new systems, and roster turnover. Mailing it in could have been accepted. But instead Igor put them on his back for a second straight game.

Nashville controlled much of the game, but it is worth noting the Rangers got very unlucky this game. They had what felt like a dozen posts and one goal called back for offsides. But it was the second line of Lafreniere-Chytil-Blais that made the magic happen to get the Rangers the win.

Rangers 1, Preds 0 – Chytiljuice

Alexis Lafreniere and Sammy Blais teamed for a turnover in the defensive zone and breakout, with Blais getting a nice pass across to Filip Chytil with room. Chytil put a nice backhand over Juuse Saros’ pad, and it’s arguable that he should have stopped it.

Preds 1, Rangers 1 – Another first NHL goal against

This is a heads up play by Phil Tomasino to catch Igor Shesterkin scrambling back to the post after a flurry,

Rangers 2, Preds 1 – What passing

Adam Fox and Sammy Blais with two of the best passes I’ve seen all season. Alexis Lafreniere had a tap in. How about that Sammy Blais?

Rangers 3, Preds 1 – Goodrow empty netter

Barclay Goodrow, who has had a bit of a rough start to his Rangers career, forced the turnover in the neutral zone and buried the empty netter.

Game Flow – Nashville controlled (form HockeyViz)

For a second straight game, the Rangers did not control play. I’ve been consistent that the Rangers will struggle until they get accustomed to the new system and Gerard Gallant’s expectations. The good thing is that they are banking points when they need to.

That’s three in a row for the Rangers, and points in four straight. All this without two top six forwards and while making the aforementioned adjustments. It’s not pretty, and the way they are winning isn’t sustainable. But the good process we saw in the first few games will come back when the team gets healthy and gets acclimated to Gallant. Patience on process, and bank the points.