TORONTO — It is a likely byproduct of two of the NHL’s largest media markets that an Original Six game before Halloween was billed as a statement game, but short of that, the New York Rangers sent a declaration of intent to the Toronto Maple Leafs and the league writ large in a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
Prior to the start of Saturday’s slate, New York led the NHL averaging five goals per game and looked potent as ever, giving Maple Leafs starter Anthony Stolarz everything he could handle, between a series of equipment mishaps in the middle, while Alexis Lafreniere and Artemi Panarin continued their white-hot starts to the season. With the Maple Leafs throwing everything at the Rangers in a valiant comeback attempt, Igor Shesterkin punctuated the Rangers’ victory in a 34-save performance, then could sit back comfortably as Chris Kreider and Panarin added empty-net goals in rapid succession.
“It doesn’t really get in our heads, but we got to find ways to beat him,” Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies said of Shesterkin post-game.
“Obviously, we try to communicate that. It literally just started with getting to the paint, being around there. Like you saw on Auston’s goal, it was right by the net, just traffic and chaos and that’s kind of what we need more of.”
Shesterkin saved nearly two goals above expected at 5-on-5 and it certainly felt like more, as he improved as the game went on, partly out of necessity. The 2022 Vezina Trophy winner drew “IGOR!” chants from the Scotiabank Arena’s upper-deck with a few profane descriptors mixed in as well, and he singlehandedly defused Toronto’s comeback attempt, in a game where the Maple Leafs outshot the Rangers 35-29.
New York took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission and from there, Shesterkin dialled up his game, making a sprawling pad save on David Kampf to set the tone. He then proceeded to rob John Tavares with a flashy glove save and grew exponentially in stature as the Maple Leafs tried everything, to little avail, save for Auston Matthews’ third-period wraparound, which cut New York’s lead to 2-1.
Shesterkin flashes leather on Tavares pic.twitter.com/8RPTvbk5lt
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 20, 2024
Again, we’re not through the opening month of the season and it’s too early for statements perhaps, but Shesterkin closed out the third period reminiscent to Mariano Rivera for the New York Yankees during their dynastic run throughout the late 1990s — and if New York’s attention is solely focused on the Yankees and the Liberty’s postseason runs, Shesterkin and company will shortly command their attention by November.
the pass first went off his skate
Shesterkin moved up to cut the space off on Matthews pic.twitter.com/EupbxBIhfW
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 20, 2024
Shesterkin stopped William Nylander on a partial breakaway, as Toronto’s star winger blew past K’Andre Miller. He didn’t panic when Knies went for the spectacular during a third-period power play only to get pushed away by Braden Schneider at the last second, he closed out Nick Robertson flying through the zone and he shut the door on Matthews when he received a golden chance off a deflection, minutes after the Rocket Richard winner scored Toronto’s lone goal. Shesterkin didn’t flinch in the final minutes, robbing Nylander again, Matthews tried out his best Aaron Judge impression and almost batted one home, but once again, the 28-year-old Rangers’ superstar was calm, cool and collected.
“You can see why he’s going to be the highest-paid goalie in the league,” Stolarz said of his counterpart post-game.
Shesterkin reportedly rejected an eight-year extension worth $11 million annually and it appears to be a clever bet on himself thus far. Discussing superstar players through the prism of their impending deals is the most boring way to view hockey and Shesterkin has every right to get paid commensurate to his value. Perhaps that’s the true statement in and of itself: Shesterkin’s very presence can put a deeply skilled and balanced Rangers’ team over the top in their elusive quest to capture a Stanley Cup for the first time in 31 years.
The reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners declared their intentions to the rest of the league, if it weren’t painfully obvious already. New York can roll four lines, roll out a perpetual Norris Trophy candidate in Adam Fox — and the Rangers controlled 59 percent share of the expected goals when he was on the ice, exuding quiet excellence per usual — but Shesterkin could elevate his team to new heights this year. It’s too early for a genuine statement win but Shesterkin is the marquee item following a loaded Original Six contest on Saturday night. This aspect requires no other qualifiers and Shesterkin and the Rangers could very well be the talk of the town, if they’re not already perched atop the league.
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