Rangers 2-0 Flames – Shesterkin shuts down as Winnipeg shuts down free press

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Rangers needed a big performance from their starting goaltender, and Igor Shesterkin was one from start to finish against the Calgary Flames.

Shesterkin stopped 30 shots for his first shutout of the season and the Rangers beat the Flames 2-0 for their fifth straight win on Monday night.

Will Coyle and Jimmy Vesey scored for the first-place Rangers, who are 6-1-1 in their last eight games. Shesterkin posted his 12th career NHL shutout and second straight win to improve to 21-12-1 on the season.

Players fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game between the New York Rangers and the Calgary Flames, Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Brian Woolston)

“I just want to have fun and stop the puck,” Shesterkin said. “It was an important night for me. I felt great.”

Jacob Markstrom finished with 29 saves as the Flames snapped a four-game winning streak.

After a scoreless first period and several surprising saves by Markstrom, Kuille slipped a loose puck past the goalie with 7:29 left in the second period for his ninth goal.

“I was just trying to get to the net,” Kuille said of the play that led to her goal. “Shesti played brilliantly and it was a big boost for our team. It obviously felt great to get the win.”

Vesey had an empty net 19 seconds into the game, his 12th.

“We focused on our defense coming out of the break,” Vesey said. “There is a hot team ahead and a lot of firepower. Good strength for us. It was a tough win.”

Shesterkin's best save of the game at the end of the game was to deflect a high shot by Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson three minutes into the third period.

The 28-year-old Russian goalkeeper has struggled at times this season and recently made way for Jonathan Quick, who has started three games and won. Shesterkin returned last Friday in Chicago's 4-3 overtime win against the Flames.

“Everybody knew he was going to get back into the game. “Everybody goes through slumps, and it's obvious when it's a goaltender and everyone's eyes are on him more,” Rangers captain Jacob Trouba said. “The confidence you have in him, when he feels it, he will.”

The Rangers went 0-for-3 on the power play to extend their slump to 0-for-17 in their last seven games.

Markstrom gave up Rangers forwards Vincent Trocheck and Blake Wheeler in close in the first, then stopped Wheeler again in the second.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri moves the puck past New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Brian Woolston)

“It wasn't our best game, but it was tough until the end,” Flames captain Mikael Backlund said. “Both goalies played well tonight.”

Markstrom also stopped Brodzinski before Kuil's goal 12 minutes in and saved an Alexis Lafreniere shot with 3:50 left in the middle period to keep it a one-goal game. Early in the third period, Lafreniere nearly scored on Markstrom on a short layup, but the puck bounced off the post.

“We got off to a really slow start and Jacob kept us in the game in the first period,” Flames coach Ryan Huska said. “Their goalkeeper also played well. He made some important saves in important moments.”