How top-six standout Igor Shesterkin led the Rangers to a win over the Maple Leafs: 4 takeaways

TORONTO – Anyone who bought tickets to Saturday's game focused on seeing a fight between Matt Rempe and Ryan Reaves was left disappointed. Anyone hoping for a well-played game between two teams that look like conference contenders was more than satisfied.

The Rangers won 4-1 in Toronto thanks to an outstanding goaltending performance from Igor Shesterkin, who continues to prove his worth in New York. The game was much closer than the final score suggested; Two goals without conceding increased the result.

Here are four takeaways:

Shesterkin continues to shine

Because of the way Shesterkin plays, the Rangers may have to get used to opponents bringing up his expiring contract. After each of Shesterkin's last two games, someone from the opposition pointed this out. Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said it was wise to turn down the reported contract worth an average annual value of $11 million, and his opposing goaltender agreed after the Toronto game.

“You can see why he will be the highest-paid goalie in the league,” Anthony Stolarz said.

If Shesterkin's agent needs any more evidence to demand an astronomical contract in extension talks, the goalie will continue to give it to him. He was the difference against the Maple Leafs, stopping 34 of 35 shots he faced.

“It's hard to find new words to describe how good he is and how important he is to us,” said Mika Zibanejad. “He just gives us a chance to win. We try to defend from him as best we can. We try to limit some chances but they will come, especially against a team like this. I thought he was incredible.”

Shesterkin's brilliance began in the first period. Shortly before the break, Bobby McMann served William Nylander for a breakaway after a defensive collapse. The Rangers goalkeeper was there to turn him away. He was also impenetrable in the second third. He made a difficult skate save on Max Domi's shot from an odd angle, then stopped Domi again on a breakaway later in the period. His most notable save came on a power play in Toronto. He stopped a windmill to rob John Tavares.

This allowed the Rangers to score the first two goals of the game.

“He’s covered up a lot of mistakes so far this year,” Reilly Smith said. “He gave us more of a lead in games than we probably deserve. It was great for this team.”

Auston Matthews finally broke Shesterkin after a series of dangerous chances early in the third period. Matthews held a puck from Adam Fox behind the net, then skated forward and beat the goalie. He nearly tied the game moments later when he received a puck through the back door, but Shesterkin got his pad out just enough to block the first shot. Matthews' attempted rebound went wide.

“He makes big saves when his team needs them,” the Leafs captain said.

Overall, the Leafs had 55 percent of their expected goal share in five-on-five play, according to Natural Stat Trick. Shesterkin made sure this didn't result in a win for Toronto.

“He’s a world-class goalkeeper,” Smith said. “Possibly for the best.”

Top strikers ensure points

While Shesterkin closed the door on Matthews and the Maple Leafs on one side, the Rangers' top forwards provided the offense New York needed. Midway through the first period, Victor Mancini threw a puck into the net that Vincent Trocheck directed toward Anthony Stolarz. The goalkeeper made a save, but the puck remained loose in front of the net. Alexis Lafrenière confiscated the property. He ran across the gap and shot when he had an angle. The puck flew past the side of Stolarz's glove, giving the Rangers a goal.

“For me, it’s more of a confidence that I think was built over the last year,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “He seems to have picked this year right where he left it last year.”

The Chris Kreider-Zibanejad-Smith line was also effective. The Rangers had 59 percent expected goal share in five-on-five play on the ice, and the trio combined for two goals: a backdoor pass from Zibanejad to Kreider in the second period and an empty-net goal in the third period. Artemi Panarin scored another empty-net goal with 14 seconds left, giving everyone in the top six at least a point.

A thing of beauty. pic.twitter.com/Q8VT2W7UBM

– New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 20, 2024

A late penalty shootout proved decisive

Matthews tripped Trouba late in the third period, giving Toronto a chance to tie the score. With Trouba in the box, Laviolette used Braden Schneider, K'Andre Miller, Fox and Chad Ruhwedel as his defenders for the kill.

Shesterkin had to make two saves on the power play, stopping John Tavares and Nick Robertson, but the penalty kill units kept both of them in his sights. Toronto's most dangerous chance with the man advantage may have been Matthew Knies, who shot the puck over the front of the net, but the young forward failed to get a shot into the net.

“It's a big penalty shootout when you have a one-goal lead and time is running out,” Smith said. “I think we did a good job of just taking away the lanes and forcing them to make tough plays, to make plays in the middle.” I think we did a good job of defending as a group and making mistakes. “

Jones sits, Mancini stays in

Laviolette sat Zac Jones in favor of Ruhwedel, who played 14:04 on Saturday and secured the team lead with a plus-two rating. Jones had appeared in the previous four games and had one assist and a plus-4 rating while averaging 15:45 of ice time. The Rangers had 44.18 percent expected goal share with him on the ice at five-on-five.

Ruhwedel played just five games for the Rangers after being traded at the 2024 trade deadline. Laviolette praised his physicality and skating when explaining his decision to include him in the lineup.

“He was great for us,” he said. “He played really well and had some good games. He’s been out for a while and I want to make sure we include everyone.”

With Jones out, Victor Mancini remained in the lineup, this time playing on the left. He picked up his first NHL assist and also successfully defended a three-on-one led by Nylander. He finished the night with his first NHL assist but only 12 minutes of ice time. Laviolette praised his piece.

The decision to keep Mancini in the lineup and try him out on the left side could add some perspective to Laviolette's lineup considerations following Ryan Lindgren's return from injury. However, Mancini is exempt from waivers, making it easier to send him to the minors. That could also play a role in the team's thought process.

(Photo: Nick Turchiaro / Imagn Images)