Recap: Rangers Lose Shesterkin to Injury, Drop Extra Point to Utah 3-2 in OT

Back at it on home ice following the big 5-1 win at the Winter Classic, the New York Rangers played hosts to the Utah Mammoth in their second meeting of the season. Looking to even the season series having lost 3-2 back in November, the Rangers took the Mammoth to overtime but would miss out on the extra point.

The Rangers made a pair of changes to their lineup heading into this one as Brett Berard and Matthew Robertson came out for Anton Blidh and Urho Vaakanainen. 

First Period

It was a painfully slow start to the game full of icings and hand passes but as the period went on, the pace picked up—mainly thanks to the Rangers bottom six. Matt Rempe in particular was bringing some energy and a physical presence along with his linemates—which included a season debut for AHL-veteran Anton Blidh. Additionally, the Rangers third line was doing a good job of maintaining possession in the offensive zone but none of it was resulting in actual shots on goal. 

With about seven minutes to go, J.J. Peterka crashed into Igor Shesterkin which left the Rangers’ star goaltender in a great deal of distress. Shesterkin was on his back, slamming his blocker on the ice and would end up being replaced by Jonathan Quick. Shesterkin required assistance in heading to the Rangers locker room which is certainly not a good sign for the Rangers. 

At this point in the opening period, the Rangers were being out-shot 8-3 which was par for the course in regard to how this season has gone for them. Their best chance of the period came as a result of a nice passing play from the first line that set Will Cuylle up for a point blank shot in the slot with Karel Vejmelka moving all around the crease. 

With just over two minutes to go, Peterka ended up with a breakaway on Quick who came up with a key save on the sneaky shot. That would about do it for the period as the Rangers headed into the first intermission being out-shot 12-7 and out-played in nearly every category save for hits and face-offs which were tied at 50%. 

Second Period

As expected by his reaction and level of assistance required in getting off the ice, it was announced heading into the second period that Shesterkin would not return tonight. 

Two minutes into the period, Danill But (6-5, 210 pounds) was in the process of bringing the puck to the net and ended up making pretty significant contact with Quick. The veteran netminder took immediate exception to the contact—and rightfully so given what happened with Igor—which drew quite a crowd. 

But was given a minor penalty for goaltender interference but Quick was also given a minor penalty for roughing. This brought on two minutes of 4-on-4 hockey which nearly resulted in a goal for Mika Zibanejad off the rush however Vejmelka was able to get a pad on it. 

With about twelve and a half to go in the period, the Rangers got their first power play of the night as Dylan Guenther was called for tripping. The top power play unit was off to a great start and after a great effort from Adam Fox to keep the puck in the zone, they’d find a way to convert. A remarkable pass from Zibanejad found a wide open Alexis Lafrenière right at the top of the blue paint to put it home, making it a 1-0 game. 

It wouldn’t be long before Utah found a way to tie it up. With seven and a half to go, the Rangers failed to get the puck deep in the offensive zone and Ian Cole was able to send it ahead to Guenther on the breakout. Guenther’s speed was enough to land him on a breakaway and while Quick made the initial save, Guenther had all the room in the world to bury the rebound, making it a 1-1 game. 

About three minutes later, the Rangers got a second chance on the power play as Brandon Tanev took Artemi Panarin down in the neutral zone. It would become a full two minute 5-on-3 advantage for the Rangers as Alex Kerfoot was also called for slashing. Midway through the big power play, a shot from Panarin at the point took a redirect off the stick of Vincent Trocheck in front, regaining the Rangers lead 2-1.

The Rangers would take that lead into the second intermission as they had a much better second period. They not only came out of it with the lead, but were now out-shooting Utah 21-18.

Third Period

Two minutes into the third, Utah got their first power play of the night as Vaakanainen was called for hooking. The Rangers were successful in killing off the advantage and as the teams returned to even strength, Quick had to come up with another big save on a Tanev breakaway. However just a few minutes later, Michael Carcone would convert off the rush as he flew by Vaakanainen and beat Quick in all alone, tying the game 2-2.

As the period went on, the Rangers were beginning to spend more time in their own end of the ice. With the score locked at two, the Rangers had just one shot on goal in the period close to 15 minutes into the third. Following an extended shift in Utah's end of the ice, an icing kept a tired group out there which eventually resulted in the Mammoth taking another penalty. Sean Durzi went off for hooking, giving the Rangers a timely power play with just over three minutes to go in regulation.

Despite another solid power play, the Rangers couldn't convert and gave up a big chance for Durzi coming out of the box that was turned away by a poke check from Quick. This one would require overtime as the score remained tied at two after sixty minutes of play.

Overtime

The Rangers won the ever important opening face-off but quickly gave up possession in the offensive zone. Utah held onto the puck and successfully completed a line change which resulted in Nick Schmalz getting a shot off at the top of the circle that Durzi was able to redirect past Quick, securing the 3-2 in New York.

On the bright side, the Rangers pick up a point in the standings but they lost in a disappointing fashion and lost their star goaltender to injury which makes for an all around rough night. They'll two days off before hosting the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday Night and the big question in the meantime will surround an update on Igor Shesterkin.