As the NHL season enters its critical phase, the New York Rangers need to consider breaking the league’s usual trend by playing their star goaltender, Igor Shesterkin, in consecutive games. Typically, NHL teams avoid starting their goalies in back-to-back games to prevent fatigue and maintain performance levels. However, Shesterkin has demonstrated the ability to perform exceptionally well even when playing in consecutive games. This season, he has only started in back-to-back games once, which is rare for a top-tier goaltender.
Recently, the Rangers ended their four-game losing streak with a 3-2 overtime victory against the Minnesota Wild, where Shesterkin made 26 crucial saves. However, the team has struggled in recent games, suffering consecutive losses that have dropped them out of a playoff position.
With the playoff race tightening, maximizing Shesterkin’s availability by playing him in back-to-back games could be a smart move. While this goes against conventional NHL wisdom, the significance of the upcoming games means the Rangers should not be afraid to experiment with this strategy to boost their chances of securing a playoff spot.
