The New York Rangers franchise goaltender is not having a Vezina-caliber season, but the team defense in front of him knows that when they give him support, they can win more games.
New York Rangers star goaltender Igor Shesterkin (19-11-1, 2.82 GAA, .901 SV%) has not been a Vezina-caliber player this season.
The team defense knows that if they support him better, they can get back to dominantly winning hockey games.
The 28-year-old goalkeeper ranks twenty-fifth in the NHL in expected goals this season. Last season he ranked eighth, and in 2021-2022 he was the number on goaltender in the NHL in the stat category.
The Rangers have skated in 47 games this season, surrendering three or more goals in 13 games this season. In one-quarter of the season, the team has allowed more than two goals against them.
The goals against may have to do with Shesterkin, the chances that are allowed by the Rangers are the responsibility of the players in front of him.
That includes a better backcheck from forwards, defensemen erring on retreating rather than pinching and generating more sustained time in the attacking zone.
"There's always a moment in time where we should have headed back or needed a save or whatever. I think he's worked so hard in practice so that we can compete hard in games," Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette said.
"There were times when the score got to the wrong side of us, we gave up too many goals. I truly believe in those instances and I said it immediately. We need to do better in regards to the noise of chances that were given up."
The Rangers have taken accountability for the teams' play at five-on-five.
The team has allowed 28 goals 5v5, the sixth most in the NHL since Jan. 1. They are tied for 10th in the NHL in goals at 5v5, scoring 22 goals.
"We [need to] keep the game in front of us [so] we don't allow quality chances off the attack. We're a lot better as a team when our goaltenders are more protected... When we do give him support he's done a really good job."
These statistics are from the sixth-best team in the NHL. A team that started 18-4-1, and is now 13-11-2 since Dec. 1.
"I know we are in a tough stretch right now. If you look at any team in the league, five-on-five scoring is at the top of everyone's list. " Jimmy Vesey told The Hockey News.
"It can be an x-factor in games. I think our forecheck can still be better. I don't think it's effort or anything like that. We need to find a way to stop pucks and sustain that offensive zone pressure."
Luckily for the Rangers, the Carolina Hurricanes are the only team with an above .500 record in their last ten games. The Flyers rank second in their last 10 games, with a 5-5-0 stretch.
Although they have not caught many breaks within the game itself, their division has not shifted radically amid their struggles.
That in itself is a win in a packed Metro division.
The Rangers host the Vegas Golden Knights at Madison Square Garden at 7:00 p.m. tonight.