Keith Kinkaid getting his first start as a Ranger tonight

Kinkaid against the Penguins part two

Veteran goaltender Keith Kinkaid will get his first start as a New York Ranger tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Kinkaid made his Rangers debut against Pittsburgh on Mar. 7 when he came into the game in relief of Alexandar Georgiev. He stopped 16 of the 18 shots he faced, finishing the game with a .889 save percentage but those numbers obfuscate how solid he performed behind a Rangers team that turned in a poor performance.

He will be the first Rangers goalie not named Shesterkin, Georgiev, or Lundqvist to start a game since Ondrej Pavelec.

The Rangers are Kinkaid’s third team but he is best known for his years playing for the rival New Jersey Devils. The highlight of his career to date was his performance in the 2017-18 campaign with the Devils where he amassed 26 wins and a .913 Sv% in 36 starts. Kinkaid, 31, is a known commodity at this stage in his career and a solid option as the team’s taxi squad goaltender.

He has started two games for the Wolf Pack this year, posting a dazzling .962 Sv% against 52 combined shots and started in five games for the Montreal Canadiens last season.

Igor Shesterkin is still considered day-to-day with a mild groin strain. He skated with the team today but it looks like the Rangers are not going to rush him back.