A title inspired by Encanto, where the characters gossip about a character, Bruno, from their own perspectives. In Madison Square Garden, the "Rorschach test" is none other than 2021 Vezina trophy winner Igor Shesterkin. Far too often, the New York Rangers starter has been fishing pucks out of the net this season, concerning many of the Blueshirts faithful. For those who aren't concerned, they are blaming the defense in front of the 27-year-old Russian netminder. While both things can be true at once, the fact is that we need to talk about Igor.
Let's look at the present, where Shesterkin is being outplayed by the former Conn Smythe trophy winner Jonathan Quick. In the preseason, Quick looked leaky and at the very end of his career. Then the regular season began, and Shesterkin looked...off. His first game against the Buffalo Sabres was strong - allowing 1 goal, which he'd do the same days later vs Arizona - but his porous outing vs Columbus and Nashville raised eyebrows. Shesterkin was off his angles and beat by shots one wouldn't expect, like Filip Forsberg's slapshot on a 1-on-4 rush. When it was reported that Shesterkin was "banged up" and resting, Quick was installed as the temporary starter, and he surprised Rangers' fans everywhere. The goalie, who looked leaky in the preseason, would post an 8-0-1 record with a .922 Save % and a 2.22 GAA. Those numbers looked much better than the incumbent starter's 10-6 record with a .908 Save % and a 2.83 GAA. However, Quick is showing signs of returning to his previous form, as he allowed 4 goals or more in back-to-back games before his 4-1 stoning of his former team, the Los Angeles Kings. But this isn't the first time the Rangers had a Vezina trophy winner get challenged...we'll get back to that in a minute.
What is Shesterkin exactly? His rookie season 2019-20 saw him post a .932 Save % and a 2.52 GAA. Shersterkin lived up to the billing and drove the Rangers to buy out legendary goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. His second season was a let down, with a save percentage of .916 %. In his 3rd season, he became a legend himself with a 36-13-4 record and a 2.07 GAA with a mind-boggling .935 Save %. You couldn't put a puck past him in his sleep. Shesterkin would lead the Rangers to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they'd fall to the dynasty Lightning in 6 games. It was certain that he'd build on his numbers. However, Shesterkin was fairly pedestrian in 22-23; .917 Save % in the first 4 months last season, a 5-2 February with a worrisome 3.71 GAA and an alarmingly low .863 Save %. Concerns began about the Russian goaltender being a one-hit wonder until he returned to his God-like form in March when he recorded a .932 Save % and a 2.08 GAA. He'd follow up with an April for the ages with a .941 Save % and a 1.72 GAA. He carried it into the playoffs with a .931 Save % and a 1.96 GAA, even though the Rangers were eliminated in 7 games. Reports of his demise were premature.
As teased, this wasn't the first time a Rangers Vezina winner was challenged. Similarly, in 2013, Henrik Lundqvist struggled under the new system installed by new coach Alain Vigneault. The result was the worst start to the Swedish goaltender's career. The most consistent goaltender in Rangers history looked horrible with a 3-5 record, a .908 Save % and a 2.84 GAA in 9 October games. Lundqvist would bounce back in November, but his .888 Save % in December got him more time on the bench. The Rangers' new rookie goaltender, Cam Talbot, seized the net during his struggles, albeit very briefly. The University of Alabama-Hunstville product posted a 1.72 GAA and a .935 Save % by Christmas, but Lundqvist wouldn't give up the net. He'd respond with an 8-3-1 January with a .938 Save % and 1.91 GAA and would never give up the net again.
Where does this leave Igor Shesterkin right now? Like his predecessor, one would lean towards him being in a lull, as shown by Igor's ability to rebound from awful months with extraordinary numbers. One tool at both at his disposal: renowned goalie coach Benoit Allaire. The New York goalie coach is considered one of the best goalie coaches of all time, and Igor will have plenty of homework to do to correct his recent play. While Shesterkin is recording a .941 save % in 10 wins, his .851 save % in 6 losses are concerning. As Rangers fans avoid talking about Igor, it's time to talk about Igor. What Igor does after...is up to Igor.
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