Recap: Shesterkin Heroic As Rangers Best Blue Jackets 1–0 in Shootout

Despite the low score, this game against divisional rival (yes, you read that right) the Columbus Blue Jackets, came to a thrilling end. With another win the Rangers continue their will they or won't they dance and insist on flirting with the idea of becoming a playoff team. It took an additional period of overtime as well a shootout but the Rangers got it done because Igor looked perfect tonight. He got his second shutout of the season and improved his SV% to .910.

Before we dive into a game recap, I wanted to acknowledge that the Blue Jackets looked like a dangerous team tonight and have been playing great hockey this season. Many of their prospects and younger players have taken a big jump this year, and Zach Werenski is playing so well his name is in the Norris conversation. It's great to see hockey thriving in Ohio, especially with this season being as emotionally charged as it's been for them. Let's get into it.

1st Period

Most starts for the Blueshirts as of late have not been great and tonight was no different. While the team has managed to win a couple games recently, it's still a big question mark as to which Rangers team will be taking the ice every game and boy did they not look great in the first period tonight. With both teams getting one single powerplay in the period, the Rangers attempt looked abysmal. Something's been up with their man advantage dynamic and if they want to turn this season around they need to figure out the cause and fix it asap. Despite even special teams time during the period the Rangers were outworked and out shot 15-4. The officiating was off to as hot of a start as the Rangers, calling an odd slashing penalty on Zibanejad in the first after he made a poor pass in the neutral zone leading to multiple dangerous opportunities against.

2nd Period

This period saw a remarkable improvement from the team. They still looked flat throughout large portions, but they were actually maintaining possession of the puck and cycling in the offensive zone for a shift or two. They out attempted and out shot the Blue Jackets 12-5 but both Tarasov and Shesterkin remained perfect.

3rd Period

The third period saw more of the same with each team trading respectable chances but neither being able to fully capitalize. The bad officiating continued with either questionable calls being made or full blown penalties being missed/ignored. I won't post those because they make me furious and I don't want you to have to deal with that as well. Aside from all that, the most exciting thing was Zibanejad's Michigan attempt. He didn't score, but seeing him be creative and understanding the sheer cojones attempting that move takes is exhilarating in itself. Comparatively, Zibanejad has not had a great season but all it takes is one big play to get him rolling again and if that happens the Rangers really will climb the standings.

OT/Shootout

From start to finish, this game looked like it could have been anyone's but Igor stood just a little taller tonight. Zibanejad couldn't buy himself a goal, getting two separate breakaways in the overtime period. For what it's worth, both of his chances weren't fumbled by him, he just happened to run into Tarasov who was having himself a great night as well. On the first one Mika went for the simple quick shot but the Blue Jackets netminder was dialed in. Shortly later, Mika tried to get Tarasov to move and deked to his backhand but was denied once again. This game was going to a shootout.

The Rangers elected to shoot first with Artemi Panarin pulling wide and hitting the post on a great attempt. Igor, looming larger than ever in the crease, quickly stopped Kent Johnson's fivehole shot. Trocheck was up next who at the last second pulled the puck slightly and changed the angle of his shot putting the only goal past Tarasov for the night.

The Rangers had the chance to win with Zibanejad as their third shooter. It felt right, it felt poetic. The player who had the game on his stick not once but twice and failed to get the job done in overtime now had his chance to win it in a shootout. Sadly while the build up and hype around the situation was there, the result was underwhelming with Tarasov making an easy save.

The game came down to Marchenko vs. Shesterkin. You could hear a needle drop at Madison Square Garden as the puck came down the ice. Marchenko, who has been scoring at a torrid pace this year, pulled off a flurry of dekes right in front of the net and tried to lift the puck over a sprawling Igor but it wasn't enough as Shesterkin and the Rangers were able to seal the deal and win their second game in a row and their first on this back to back weekend.

Tomorrow the Blueshirts travel to face off against the Montreal Canadiens at 7 PM, another team that has been beating expectations this season and are chasing a playoff spot. This is a big game and one that will make up critical distance in the standings. The Rangers have to commit to a direction to take this year and fully decide their strategy at the deadline; while their recent play on paper has made it hard to remember this team is not good enough, certain things, such as the phenomenal goaltending on display tonight has really covered their warts.