When Igor Shesterkin was announced as the first star of the game for his 42-save performance in the Rangers’ 4-3 win over the Panthers on Monday, the 25-year-old netminder caused a stir when he didn’t come out onto the ice at Madison Square Garden to salute the fans.
The Rangers had just come dangerously close to blowing their fourth consecutive game in which they held a multi-goal lead at the start of the third period. As a result, there was speculation Shesterkin may have been frustrated by the fact Florida was able to bombard him with shots and score three unanswered goals in the final frame.
Gerard Gallant set the record straight Wednesday after practice at the MSG Training Center.
“That was blown way out of proportion, he had the stomach flu,” the head coach said, inferring that Shesterkin may have been answering nature’s call when the stars of the game were announced.
Considering Monday’s game was far from the first win Shesterkin has stolen for the Rangers through the season’s first 13 games, it was fair to assume that he would be irked after the way things unfolded against the Panthers. Florida scored three goals on 12 shots in the third period, with the last two coming in the span of 46 seconds, to nearly force overtime.
It appears it was just a timing coincidence, and Shesterkin had a personal matter to tend to.
The Rangers have been forthright in acknowledging Shesterkin is the reason why they currently sit at 7-3-3. Players have described the Rangers’ recent third-period performances as “unacceptable,” adding their No. 1 goalie deserves better.
When the Panthers got a little chippy with Shesterkin, however, the Rangers didn’t quite live up to their vows to furiously stand up for one another — at least from a physical standpoint. Panthers winger Anthony Duclair should’ve been called for goaltender interference when he barreled into Shesterkin halfway through the first period, but play went on and the former Ranger didn’t have to answer to anybody.
The Panthers also resorted to jamming away at the puck in the crease despite Shesterkin already covering it. Shesterkin looked to the refs for a call, but never got one.
“I think a few guys had some words for — I think it was Duclair — when he went by the bench,” Ryan Strome said. “But, I mean, I thought our response — I thought our bottom six was really physical. You can’t just chase around a skill guy to fight, he’s not gonna fight anyone. [Ryan Reaves] was yelling at him and a few guys, so there’s only so much you can do.
“I think we’ve taken matters into our own hands and been physical. I’ve heard from a few people around the league that they think we’re harder to play against, and they’ve felt that. That’s a good sign.
“I don’t mind our response. It’s not always about going on and fighting a guy, especially a guy like Duclair, I don’t think he’s going to drop the gloves. But I don’t think he meant to hurt anybody. We obviously got to watch out for our goalie, for sure.”