Backed by an Igor Shesterkin shutout, the New York Rangers defeated the Calgary Flames 2-0 for their fifth-straight victory.
Backed by an Igor Shesterkin shutout, the New York Rangers defeated the Calgary Flames 2-0 for their fifth-straight victory.
Neither team was able to break the ice in the first half of play. New York outshot Calgary 11-6 in the opening frame and forced the Flames into five turnovers, but Jacob Markstrom was the difference-maker.
The Calgary netminder made several big saves to calm the Rangers’ onslaught.
In large part due to Markstrom’s efforts, Calgary began to find its footing in the second.
The shot margin was 13-10 Flames in the frame, but New York was able to break through. Jonny Brodzinski picked up the puck and passed to Kaapo Kakko, who started a rush down the right wing side and threw the puck into the net.
Markstrom made the initial save, but Will Cuylle stuck with it and banged home a rebound, giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead at 12:31.
Brodzinski earned the secondary assist on Cuylle’s goal, extending his point streak to three games; the forward has two goals and an assist in that span, as well as points in four of his last five games.
Both teams got their share of grade-A looks in the final period.
Calgary outshot New York by a narrow 11-10 margin, but neither team could capitalize heading into the homestretch.
The Flames remained down by one and pulled the goalie to look for the equalizer, but a strong defensive effort by Jimmy Vesey in the Calgary zone forced a turnover and, eventually, scored on the empty net goal to make it 2-0 and seal the deal.
The horn sounded to finish off Shesterkin’s first shutout of the season, denying all 31 shots that came his way.
Shesterkin also has back-to-back wins for the first time since Jan. 14 and 16.
UP NEXT: The Rangers host the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night at 7 PM.
LINES:
Chris Kreider -- Mika Zibanejad -- Blake Wheeler
Artemi Panarin -- Vincent Trochcek -- Alexis Lafreinere
WIll Cullye -- Jonny Brodzinski -- Kaapo Kaako
Jimmy Vesey -- Barclay Goodrow -- Adam Edstrom
Ryan Lindgren --Adam Fox
K’Andre Miller -- Jacob Trouba
Erik Gustafsson -- Braden Schneider
Igor Shesterkin
Jonathan Quick
Matthew Page contributed to this game report.