The New York Rangers could not match the pace of the Anaheim Ducks, falling 4–1 on an emotional night at Madison Square Garden. The evening included tributes to former Rangers Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba, but it was the Ducks who ultimately had the upper hand.
Before puck drop, head coach Mike Sullivan made a stunning decision by scratching star center Mika Zibanejad after he arrived late to a team meeting earlier in the day. That call loomed large as the game unfolded, with the Rangers struggling to generate offense and unable to solve Anaheim goaltender Lukas Dostal.
When the final horn sounded, the frustration from a flat performance boiled over, most visibly with Igor Shesterkin. As he headed down the tunnel toward the locker room, the Rangers’ goaltender erupted in anger, a clear reflection of the night’s disappointment.
Shesterkin’s frustration was understandable
Shesterkin was far from alone in having an off night, as much of the lineup failed to deliver against the Ducks. While Anaheim deserved credit for being the sharper team, the Rangers needed a stronger showing, especially after their dramatic 5–4 comeback win over Montreal on Saturday.
In the loss, Shesterkin surrendered three goals on 25 shots, each coming at a different strength. One came on the power play, another while the Rangers were short-handed, and the third at even strength. His season record now sits at 13-11-3 with a .908 save percentage and a 2.55 goals-against average, numbers that align closely with his career norms. However, the lack of goal support has kept his record near .500, which does not accurately reflect his overall play.
Advanced metrics tell a clearer story. Shesterkin ranks 12th in the NHL in goals saved above average at 7.45 and ninth in goals saved above expected at 13.41. Those figures highlight how frequently he is tested and how often he rises to the occasion. Games like this one are particularly aggravating, as the score remained tight at 2–1 until it unraveled late when the Rangers could not find the equalizer.
Hope the Zibanejad issue is quickly resolved
After last season’s locker room turmoil, the expectation is that Zibanejad’s benching does not turn into a lingering issue. Sullivan brings a different coaching approach than Peter Laviolette did, and with J.T. Miller serving as a strong locker room presence, the situation should be handled swiftly and without added drama.
Zibanejad’s absence was noticeable, and the Rangers clearly could have benefited from his presence. Holding players accountable is part of the process, but with the team losing four of its last five games and the Metropolitan Division beginning to take shape, this was a game they badly needed. No. 93 may very well have been the difference.