For as long as New York fans can remember, goaltending has always been the least of the Rangers' problems. If there was ever a story to tell in their most recent playoff appearances, it was Igor Shesterkin's outstanding performance. After years of stealing key games with stellar goaltending, the New York Rangers are put to the test this season. If these Blueshirts want to make a run for the Stanley Cup this Spring, they’ll need to become a true team in front without Igor to save their skins. Lately, that’s proven to be much harder than fans imagined, but is it time to panic just yet?
Starting this season on waivers, Dylan Garand cleared and planned to begin the year as usual in Hartford. However, a lower-body injury to Joonas Korpisalo gave him a chance to get more ice time in the NHL as a backup. Weeks later, tragedy struck for Shesterkin, and the 24-year-old suddenly became the Rangers' guy for the foreseeable future. After a brief 3-1-1 stretch from the rookie goaltender that gave New York fans hope, the reality of life without their star goaltender has begun to set in. Lately, they’ve gotten into the rhythm of playing as if Igor is still between the pipes, and you can imagine how that goes. Combine not being the kind of team a rookie goaltender needs in front, their road woes continuing, and starting said rookie seven games straight, and fans are no doubt in for a rough stretch. After three straight losses and five days off to dwell on their mistakes, is it still too early to panic?
Since their star goaltender's injury, very few have suggested leaving their tandem be for now, as Korpisalo inches closer to returning to the net. The more popular opinion: make a move for a more experienced goaltender. While it’s close to impossible to replace the man that is Shesterkin, a more NHL-experienced one would make their odds of a bounce-back season higher, but is it really what this Rangers team needs? Fans would certainly love for this team to, at long last, break the trend of relying on good goaltending to go far, and it seems this presents the perfect opportunity. Starting 6-2-0 this season, it shows what this team is capable of even without their Russian star, so should fans start worrying regardless of this season's outcome?
It’s hard to watch a team start so promising only to watch whatever those last three games were. However, even through the rough stretches, there are always highs. Unlike last season, these Blueshirts have shown they can find the back of the net, keeping these games competitive at the very least. The defense has improved as well, and while their recent play isn’t anything to brag about, their start has shown fans the defense may have a long-awaited arrival. It sounds like the makings of a complete team; sadly, they may have to wait until next season to see it truly. Despite Garand's struggles, he’s proven himself to be solid, maybe not a true starter just yet, but certainly a backup for next season potentially. Igor in his usual form, a solid rookie backup, and a complete team in front sounds like an enjoyable Rangers team for the foreseeable future. A long season remains for these Blueshirts; do they make a move, or can they snap back to the team Dylan Garand needs in front of him?
