Due to the Coronavirus, the NHL season had to be cut short. This has affected many teams who were looking to make a push for the playoffs but were a few points short. Also, players were affected as they tried to reach career numbers.
Gary Bettman announced 24 teams would be in the playoffs, 12 from each conference. The Rangers made the playoffs as an 11-seed and will be playing the 6th seed Carolina Hurricanes. The two clubs will square off August 1st.
The Rangers have a goalie situation of three netminders who deserve to play. The Rangers have veteran Henrik Lundqvist, Alexander Georgiev, and Igor Shestyorkin. In my opinion, I feel like only two should play because not many teams carry three goalies when they can use more forwards and defenseman on the roster. Before, I decide who Dan Quinn and the Rangers should pick let me introduce them.
Henrik Lundqvist was drafted 205th overall by the New York Rangers. However, he has been one of the best goalies in the 2000s and early 2010s era. He will go down as one of the best Rangers goalies of all-time. He was a crucial piece of their 2014 Stanley Cup team that ended up losing to the Los Angeles Kings in 2014. This year is numbers are not anything to brag about as he has a record of 10-12-3. He has a 3.16 GAA and a .905% save percentage. In his 15 year NHL career the only time he had a losing record was this year and last year. In the 2011-2012 season, Lundqvist won the Vezina Trophy award for being the best goalie in the league. That year he went 39-18-5. Lundqvist had 8 shutouts that season posting a 1.97 GAA and a .930% save percentage. Lundqvist is for sure a future hall of famer.
The Rangers also have Alexander Georgiev. Georgiev is 24 years old. This season he had a record of 17-14-2. He had a 3.04 GAA with a .910% save percentage. He has been the starting netminder for the Blueshirts this year and most likely their future. His first year in the NHL was the 2017-2018 season but most of his playing time has come from the last two seasons.
The Rangers also have another 24-year-old netminder named Igor Shesterkin. Igor was drafted 118th overall by the Rangers in 2014. However, this year was his first year in the NHL. Even though he only played 12 games this season, his rookie campaign was impressive to say the least. Igor had a record of 10-2 with a GAA of 2.52 and a .932% save percentage. Like Georgiev his future is very promising and maybe even brighter.
This has to be a very tough decision for Dan Quinn to make. However, a decision must be made. If I was Quinn I would start Alexander Georgiev and make Henrik Lundqvist the backup. Lundqvist even though has not looked like his former self the last two years is still the leader of that locker room. He can also offer guidance and teach Georgiev and help take off some pressure of playing in the playoffs. Lundqvist almost won a Stanley Cup and is one of the most deserving players in the NHL. Georgiev should be the clear starter as he has been the starter and better player statistically for the past two years.
Even though Igor had a tremendous rookie season he should not play in the playoffs. He only played 12 games and that is not enough NHL experience to start in the playoffs. Igor could face a lot of nerves and emotions will be running high. Quinn and the Rangers cannot afford to put that much pressure on him. Also it is not fair for him or the team to rush him up and potentially ruin their career. We have seen it many times before with many players. Igor will have his time to shine once Lundqvist hangs up the skates which is most likely coming soon.
Brian's World of Sports 