When playing the Florida Panthers, opponents always have to worry about Matthew Tkachuk not just for his play on the ice, but the way he can get into your head mentally. Stan Fischler On Rangers Cup Chances Tkachuk is a notorious trash-talker and its been no different through Florida’s Eastern Conference Final series against the New York Rangers. However, it hasn’t bothered Igor Shesterkin all that much who had a simple answer when asked about Tkachuk’s antics. “I’m lucky because I don’t speak english.” Shesterkin said via NHL.com’s Dan Rosen. Tkachuk has played exceptionally well through the first three games of this series as he has one goal, three assists and four points, but it’s Shesterkin who has the Rangers up 2-1. While Tkachuk may be attempting to get into the head of Shesterkin, it seems the Rangers goaltender is frustrating the entire Panthers team to the point where he is in their heads without even needing to say a word. Shesterkin is coming off of a 33-save performance in Game 3 where he made a number of spectacular saves in the third period through the Panthers’ onslaught of shots en route to a 5-4 Rangers overtime victory. Both Tkachuk and Shesterkin elevate their individual play come playoff time, so it will be exciting to watch them both go up against each other for the remainder of this series.
