Rangers, Shesterkin silence Red Wings, 4-1

Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News on Oct 14, 2024

Published in Hockey

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Igor Shesterkin is one of the best goalies in the world and the Detroit Red Wings got an up-close look at how good on Monday.

The New York Rangers goalie was the difference with 31 saves, as the Rangers defeated the Red Wings, 4-1, in New York.

Dylan Larkin scored for the Wings, while Alexis Lafreniere, Chris Kreider (power play) and Reilly Smith answered with the Rangers' goals.

Kreider's goal at 17 minutes, 5 seconds of the second period broke a 1-1 tie. Mika Zibanejad found Kreider alone near the post on the power play, where Kreider thrives, tipping the puck past goaltender Alex Lyon.

The Rangers stretched the lead on Smith's first goal as a Ranger. Off a winning faceoff by Zibanejad, Smith pounced on the puck and whistled a shot past Lyon, giving the Rangers a 3-1 lead at 4:51 of the third period.

Zibanejad capped things with an empty-net goal. Zibanejad (one goal, two assists) and Panarin (three assists) each had three points in the game.

But it was Shesterkin who consistently turned away the Wings.

A potential unrestricted free agent next summer, Shesterkin reportedly turned down a Rangers offer that would have paid Shesterkin $11 million per year for eight years. The Rangers are committed to keeping Shesterkin, and most analysts feel something will get done.

A game like Monday's showed how valuable Shesterkin is.

Shesterkin made big stops on J.T. Compher and Simon Edvinsson in close in the second period with the game tied — the Wings pressing and the Rangers wavering — giving the Rangers an opportunity for the lead later.

Shesterkin frustrated Compher again late in the third period, in front of the crease, and the Wings searching for a much-needed goal.

The Wings went without a goal on four power-play attempts, with Shesterkin proving formidable in those attempts.

The Wings placed a lot of emphasis on the season's first five games, given they were against a talented Pittsburgh team, and two each against potential Stanley Cup teams, the Rangers and Nashville. The Wings are 1-2-0 after a victory over Nashville, and losses to Pittsburgh and the Rangers.

The Wings return to host the Rangers on Thursday at Little Caesars Arena, before completing the rugged stretch Saturday in Nashville.

The Rangers opened the scoring with Lafreniere scoring his second goal of the season. Panarin carried the puck through the slot and slid a pass to Lafreniere on the wing, who unleashed a one-timer past Lyon from near the dot at 11:45.

But the Wings answered just before the first period ended.

Justin Holl, playing in his second game since being recalled from Grand Rapids (having been waived to begin the season), skated down from the point and centered a pass to Larkin in the slot, who snapped his second goal with just two seconds remaining in the period.

Patrick Kane also earned an assist on the goal, his 814th career assist. Kane moved past Westland native Mike Modano (813) for second-most among U.S.-born players in NHL history, behind only Phil Housley (894).

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