The New York Rangers will depend once more on goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who has excelled in the first two rounds of the playoffs, as they prepare to play the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final. But Florida has a strategy for defeating the fierce Shesterkin.
Panthers center Matthew Tkachuk stated before Game 1 on Wednesday, “I think the main thing right now is what we’ve been dealing with all playoffs, and that’s one of their big strengths, which is in goal.” “We need to approach him in the same manner as we have with (Andrei) Vasilevsky and (Jeremy) Swayman in the previous series. Shesterkin is playing with such intensity at the moment. That is, in my opinion, one of their greatest advantages.
preview of the Rangers vs. Capitals
The Panthers defeated Vasilevskiiy in a five-game first-round series victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning and Swayman in a six-game second-round series against the Boston Bruins, which helped them progress to the conference championship.
With an average of 3.55 goals per game, the Panthers are ranked third in the playoffs. At least one goal has been scored by sixteen Panthers skaters.
Shesterkin has led New York to an 8-2 record with a.923 save percentage and a 2.40 goals against average during the playoffs thus far. His 54 and 45 saves in the Games 2 and 3 victories, respectively, were crucial to the team’s victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round.
Florida scored five goals against Vasilevsky and the Lightning twice in the first round. They twice potted six against Swayman and the Bruins in the second round. Remember that since the 2022 first round, Shesterkin has never once allowed more than three goals in a playoff game. Nevertheless, the Rangers’ worst postseason performance came in Game 4 over the Hurricanes.
Panthers will have ‘hands full’ against talented Rangers
Tkachuk and the Panthers are aware that this forthcoming series will be difficult for them. Not just with Shesterkin, but with every single one of the Rangers.
Tkachuk said, “They have very talented players up front, and their defense can kind of do it all.” “With some of their forwards up front, their skill and speed, we have our hands full.” When it comes to them, we must avoid boxing them in.
That might make a difference in this best-of-seven series. Special teams is where the Rangers excel. In the postseason, their 31.4 percent power play outperforms the Panthers’ 22.0 percent. This implies that the Panthers, who rank second in the playoffs in terms of penalties, must exercise greater self-control.
Tkachuk stated, “We anticipate the Rangers to present us with a formidable challenge.” They are the best club in the playoffs thus far, having been the best team throughout the regular season. It will be a fantastic series, but it’s also a tremendous chance for us to demonstrate our abilities.
Well, at least that much is known. The top two teams in the conference square off in the Eastern Conference Final between New York and Florida. The President’s Trophy was won by the Rangers, who also placed first in the Metropolitan Division. The Panthers trailed the Blueshirts by just four points overall and led the Atlantic Division.
Regardless of how it is drafted, this will be a difficult series for both clubs, one that might decide if Florida gets its wish with Shesterkin.
