Recap: Shesterkin Fights, Rangers Win 4-1 Over Devils

The night the annual Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award is given out is always a special night for the New York Rangers fan base and tonight was no different. Prior to the Rangers final outing with the New Jersey Devils tonight, the McDonald family took to the ice as Steven’s son Connor gave a speech and gave out the award in his late father’s honor. This year’s recipient didn’t come as much of a surprise as Mika Zibanejad was one of the few players on this team to consistently show up all season long. This comes as Zibanejad's third Extra Effort Award throughout his Rangers tenure. 

As far as the lineup for the game was concerned, it looked more or less the same as it has lately with several of the Rangers young players getting the chance to prove themselves. Igor Shesterkin would get the start in goal. 

First Period

The Rangers were off to a physical start as both Will Cuylle and Jaroslav Chmelar had rather noticeable hits. Of course they didn’t have much to show for in other areas as they were being out-shot 4-0 through the first eight minutes of play. Low and behold their first shot on goal would find its way to the back of the net as Tye Kartye let one go from the point that redirected off the stick of Conor Sheary. 1-0 Rangers approaching the midway point of the period. 

The Rangers offense picked up a bit from there as they nearly made it a 2-0 game following a strong shift from the top line. Zibanejad pulled off an incredible fake slap shot turned pass for Gabe Perreault who just couldn’t get enough on it to direct it to the back of the net. 

With about seven and a half to go in the opening period, the Rangers got the game’s first power play as Douggie Hamilton was called for high sticking. About a minute later after a shaky start, a terrific passing play that started with Zibanejad, cycled the puck at the point, down to Alexis Lafrenière at the right doorstep. Lafrenière one touched it to J.T. Miller, who was right in front of the net to guide it home, 2-0 Rangers. 

While the Rangers did not get off to a great start, they did not allow a shot on goal from the Devils for the rest of the period after picking up their first goal of the night. Overall, a much better period as the Rangers led 2-0 after the opening twenty, out-shooting the Devils 7-5. 

Second Period

The Rangers kicked off the second with a penalty as Perreault was sent off for tripping Hamilton along the boards. This gave the Devils their first man advantage of the game as it took them just five seconds to convert. A quick shot from Luke Hughes set up a rebound for Nico Hischier that Shesterkin was able to stop. The second rebound however, was right there for Connor Brown as Will Borgen forgot how to play defense for a second. 2-1 hockey game. 

On the following shift, Timo Meier had a golden opportunity to tie the game up as he ended up on a breakaway. In the midst of deciding what to do on the attempt, Meier was interrupted by the stick of Braden Schneider and ended up colliding with Shesterkin who thankfully got right up afterwards. Good thing as Shesterkin was having a great night and continued making key saves as the period went on. 

Closer to the midway mark, the Rangers went back to the power play as Jonny Brodzinski was hooked by Brendan Dillon. Things didn’t go as well the second time around as the Rangers wouldn’t convert and gave the Devils a grade-A chance in the form of a NIck Bjugstad breakaway. Another stellar save for Shesterkin. 

With just under nine minutes to go in the second, the Rangers extended the lead as Chmelar capitalized on a rebound in front of the net. The shot from Schneider at the point when off some traffic in front which allowed for Chmelar to jump all over the rebound, 3-1 game.

The Rangers finished the period strong as they had a good grasp after two periods of play. Shots were 21-18 in their favor as they took a 3-1 lead into the second intermission.

Third Period

Four minutes into the final period of regulation, Zibanejad celebrated his third Extra Effort Award by picking up a goal. Perreault found him with an incredible pass as Zibanejad tapped it home for his 33rd goal of the season. 4-1 Rangers. Fun fact, only two players in the NHL (Alex Ovechkin and Leon Draisaitl) have scored more goals in the month of March than Mika Zibanejad since the 2019-20 season.

A few minutes later, Will Cuylle was off to the box as he was called for a weak tripping call in the neutral zone. As the Rangers were close to coming out of the disadvantage unscathed, Miller was sent off for cross-checking, bringing play to 5-on-3 for 17 seconds. A big chance for the Devils but the Rangers were up to the challenge, keeping the score as it was two minutes later.

And then, chaos certainly ensued.

Shesterkin was knocked into for the second time this evening as Paul Cotter made contact in the crease. As a scrum broke out, Shesterkin joined in and Jacob Markstrom met him in his own end of the ice, resulting in one of the craziest goalie fights in quite some time.

To make matters better, the Rangers ended up with a power play as Cotter was called for goaltender interference, on top of the seven penalty minutes assigned to both goaltenders (Five for fighting, two for instigating). While they wouldn't convert on the man advantage, the Rangers held on to their lead for the rest of the outing and this game became an instant classic the second Markstrom and Shesterkin dropped the gloves.

What a night as Shesterkin absolutely stole the show and the Rangers extend their win streak to three games. Not an ideal one to win in terms of getting the better draft pick but it was too fun of a game to be mad about it. Not to mention, this comes as the Rangers first win against the Devils this season.

The Rangers will continue their homestead with seven games left on the calendar as they're set to host the Montreal Canadiens Thursday evening.