The New York Rangers are experiencing a changing of eras in goal, as Igor Shesterkin is taking over for Henrik Lundqvist in net.
For years, the New York Rangers have been led in goal by future Hall of Famer Henrik Lundqvist. He’s been their constant and their leader since arriving in 2005. Lundqvist has had an incredible career, but Father Time has finally caught up to him. Luckily, the Rangers have a perfect replacement for him in Igor Shesterkin.
Goaltending is a work of art, as each goalie has their own unique style in the way they go about doing their jobs. However, some styles are more beneficial than others, as we have seen goaltenders transform from a stand-up style into the butterfly (dropping down) and now into the hybrid style. But even in this hybrid style of hockey, goaltenders have to position correctly in order to make the saves as easy as possible.
Right before our very eyes, we are seeing one style of play on its way out while the other one is flourishing. And this is happening right in front of our eyes in Madison Square Garden. Lundqvist and Shesterkin have different styles, so let’s take a look at how they compare (and differ).
Henrik Lundqvist: Reactionary
Throughout his dominant, potential Hall of Fame career, Lundqvist has been a goalie that tends to stay back in his crease, rather than coming out to cut off the angles, relying on his reflexes and reaction time to make saves.
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And for the last 14 years of his career, it has worked out rather nicely. But this season, in his 15th year, it hasn’t. The soon to be 38-year old has played himself into not even a back-up role, but a third-string role with Alexandar Georgiev garnishing more playing time as the trade deadline fastly approaches.
This season, Lundqvist owns a 3.12 goals-against average (career-high), with a .907 save percentage (tying career-high) after 28 appearances. t’s a shame after such a good career, but clearly this year his reaction time has slowed, and his ability to play at the high-intense level he has played at throughout his career does not appear to be coming back anytime soon.
Since coming into the league, shots have become harder, faster, and more creative each year. That being said, a goalie’s reaction time, strength, and speed needed to keep up with these changing times. Sitting far back in the crease has done him a disservice in the grand scheme of things.
Igor Shesterkin: Aggressive
Now let us get to rookie netminder, Shesterkin. He plays an aggressive style, which has faired very well in his first eight appearances at the NHL level. But it is obvious what makes him that good. Not only is he way out above the crease, but his reaction, speed, and anticipation are top-notch.
His statistics in his small sample size have reiterated his skill, posting a 2.28 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage. Oh, and he is 7-1 since being called up, helping the Rangers sneak back into the playoff race as they only sit six points out of the second wild-card spot.
Just the poise and the never quit attitude has been phenomenal, as he makes difficult saves look rather easy. Something that Lundqvist showcased in the recent past.
His ability to cut off the angle, and reposition for the rebound with such speed and strength is something unique. Coming from Russia, he has not had any lapse in getting acclimated to the smaller rink here in North America, or in the different style in which the game his played.
He needed a few games under his belt but has not shown a single sign that what he is doing right now is merely something out of an Andrew Hammond storyline we saw a few years ago in Ottawa or what Devan Dubnyk showcased in his first year in Minnesota. This is Shesterkin’s game, and it always has been.
This save below is one of the best I have ever seen when it comes to tracking a puck.
https://twitter.com/YahooSportsNHL/status/1230314515432165376
The ability to do this after a quick deflection is superhuman. Not just the angle of the shot is changing, but the speed as well. Most goalies are not even getting a glove on that.
The time has come in New York. The King has been dethroned by the Czar, and it will not be long before Shesterkin is one of the best in the league. And with Lundqvist’s ultimate demise as he either remains with the Rangers in more of a mentoring role or on the move to another team, his style of play will no longer exist around the National Hockey League when he decides to hang the skates up.