New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin put on a stellar performance as his team defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 on Saturday night.
The 25-year-old Russian netminder made 27 saves, including several key stops in the third period, to secure the win for the Rangers. Shesterkin’s impressive performance earned him the first star of the game.
The Rangers got off to a strong start, with forward Chris Kreider scoring just 52 seconds into the game. The Maple Leafs responded with a goal from forward Auston Matthews, but the Rangers quickly regained the lead with a goal from defenseman Jacob Trouba.
In the second period, the Rangers extended their lead with a goal from forward Mika Zibanejad. The Maple Leafs had several opportunities to score, but Shesterkin stood tall in the net and denied them each time.
The third period saw the Maple Leafs ramp up their offensive pressure, but Shesterkin continued to make impressive saves, including a sprawling stop on a shot from Matthews. The Rangers sealed the victory with an empty-net goal from forward Ryan Strome.
This win marks the Rangers’ third consecutive victory and improves their record to 4-4-1 for the season. The Maple Leafs, on the other hand, have now lost three straight games and have a record of 6-3-0.
The Rangers will look to continue their winning streak as they face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs will try to bounce back as they take on the Winnipeg Jets on Monday.
Shesterkin’s standout performance against a strong Maple Leafs team is a promising sign for the Rangers and their fans. With his impressive skills and determination, Shesterkin is proving to be a valuable asset for the team and a force to be reckoned with in the NHL.
