In the most important personnel decisions of David Quinn’s three-year tenure behind the Rangers’ backs, head coach Igor Shisterkin will go up against Alexis Georgiev in the goal against the Islanders on Thursday night.
“It certainly wasn’t an easy decision,” he said before the matchup at Madison Square Garden. “It is evident, [Georgiev has] There was a great record against the Islanders, which definitely gives you a long halt to decide who to play. But Shetty’s game over the last six weeks – I know what his record against the Islanders is, is a small sample size. The last game we played was a little noticed, because it was a little different from the way things unfolded for us. “
Shesterkin has never beaten the Islanders by going 0–3–1 this season, having suffered a 6–1 defeat last week. He has posted an .878 save percentage and a 3.75 goals-against average in those four games. However, the 25-year-old has actually been the No. 1 netminder of the Russian team since he returned from his groin injury in late March.
During that period, Shisterkin has started 15 of the last 19 games, finishing with a 9–9–2 record with a 9–9–2 percentile and 2.51 GAA.
By the time the Rangers were riding Shusterkin, George’s numbers were hard to resist against the Isles. He holds a 7-2 record with a .944 save percentage and 1.70 GAA. Georgiev has gone 2–0 against the Islanders this season, including one off.
“You can probably make an argument in any way and play any person. I just felt with direction that Shiney’s game is going on and the way he has played in the last six weeks earns this opportunity.
Jacob Troba skated with the team for the first time Thursday morning after suffering what he described as an upper body injury in a 6–1 loss to the islanders on 20 April.
The veteran defenseman was skating on his own, but was ruled out for Thursday’s game. Trowba is still considered “day to day” according to Quinn, but “definitely getting closer”.
“Brings a lot of trouble,” Ryan Lindgren said. “Off the ice, he’s such a leader. There’s a guy that definitely makes us young people really depend on the D corps in particular. He’s our leader back there and so sure to exclude him. Is harder than. On Ice, he brings such a physicality and he has such a presence that it is definitely harder without him.
“But I think people are doing a good job and moving forward. We’re definitely excited to have him back.”
Chris Kreider did not attend the skate on Thursday morning, with the team saying it was for “maintenance” reasons.
Quinn said Kreider would be a game-time decision for Thursday’s game.
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