The Blues' Vladimir Tarasenko looks at the puck as Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin defends during the first period of an NHL game on Thursday in St. Louis. Credit: AP/Jeff Roberson
ST. LOUIS – Igor Shesterkin has done more than anyone to put the Rangers in the position they are in now, locked into a playoff spot entering the final seven weeks of the season.
But the Rangers found out Thursday night against the St. Louis Blues that while Shesterkin may be a magician, and the finest goaltender in the NHL, he is not superhuman.
Shesterkin, returning to the Rangers’ net after getting the night off in Minnesota two nights earlier, was pulled from the game 15 seconds into the second period after allowing four goals on 17 shots in what ended up being an embarrassing 6-2 loss.