A 4-3 Rangers’ win over the Panthers locked the New York team into playoff hockey. With just nine games left of the 2022/23 season, the Rangers’ are now just contending for the final regular season placement, as of now they sit a comfortable third in the Metropolitan Division with a chance to get second.
There have been two main factors to the success of the MSG team: goaltending and grit.
New York’s goaltending is led by Igor Shesterkin and his .914sv% through 53 games, he has accounted for 34 wins and has allowed 2.5 goals-per-game. Shesterkin did face a tough patch during the Patrick Kane trade rumors, but so did the entire team. Nevertheless when the Russian was called upon he performed at a MVP caliber.
Jaroslav Halak is 10-8-3 through 22 games started (21 appeared), and has cemented himself as the true No. 2 goalie behind Shesterkin. Halak has a .905sv% and a shutout on the season.
Grit has been a part of this Rangers’ team all season long. The players have been able to overcome injuries and get back into the right mental state fast after the Kane trade. New York surprised everyone last season with their deep playoff run, now they are expected to make the Finals.
It is safe to say that the pressure has been on this fairly young team and no one has succumbed to the pressure.
All I have to say is that It will be fun to watch this team in the playoffs.
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