Shesterkin moved by 'Igor' chants: 'Unbelievable feeling'
After five seasons in the Big Apple, Igor Shesterkin should be used to hearing the New York Rangers faithful chant his name. But the talented goaltender continues to be moved by the show of support, especially when it's during a high-stakes playoff game against a divisional rival.
"It's an unbelievable feeling every time," he said Tuesday after New York's 4-3 double-overtime victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, per Rangers on MSG. "Every time. I was almost crying."
Shesterkin was regaled by "Igor" chants throughout his 54-save effort that helped New York claim a 2-0 series lead. He prevented 2.43 goals above expected at all strengths, according to Natural Stat Trick.
The 28-year-old Russian turned aside 15 shots over both periods of overtime alone.
Goosebumps as MSG chants:
- SasquatchNHL (@SasquatchNHL) May 8, 2024
IGOR!!! #NYR pic.twitter.com/R5WyYFVVTy
"He was fantastic tonight," Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette said. "Both goaltenders had to make big saves or the game would have went in a different direction. I thought he played a heck of a game."
Tuesday's outing marked the second-most stops Shesterkin has ever made in a playoff game, trailing only his 79-save performance in a triple-overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2022.
Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck sank the Hurricanes in the game's fifth period to ensure that his netminder was on the winning side of the marathon this time.
Trocheck praised Shesterkin's outing as "outstanding," but he wasn't particularly surprised by his teammate's dominance, either.
"Igor played an Igor-esque type of game tonight," he said.
"Whenever he's on like that, it's tough to beat him," Trocheck added. "It's tough to beat our team whenever he's making saves like he was tonight."
Shesterkin owns a dazzling .929 save percentage and 2.01 goals-against average across six contests in these playoffs, and he's yet to lose a game.
The 2022 Vezina Trophy winner has gone 29 straight postseason games without allowing more than three goals, per Hockey Reference. Only Jonathan Quick, his Rangers running mate, boasts a longer streak in NHL history:
| Rank | Goalie | No. of Games | Streak duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Quick | 34 | 2012-13 |
| 2 | Igor Shesterkin | 29 | 2022-present |
| 3 | Patrick Roy | 28 | 1992-94 |
| 4 | Curtis Joseph | 27 | 2002-08 |
| 5 | Johnny Bower | 25 | 1962-64 |
| 6 | Gump Worsley | 24 | 1966-69 |
| 7 | Dominik Hasek | 23 | 2002-07 |
| 8 | Braden Holtby | 22 | 2017-18 |
| T-9 | Carey Price | 21 | 2015-21 |
| T-9 | Byron Dafoe | 21 | 1994-99 |
Shesterkin and the Rangers will look to add to their series lead during Thursday's Game 3 in North Carolina.
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