The Rangers are turning to goalkeeper Alexander Georgiev for Wednesday’s match with the Flyers after going with backup Keith Kinkaid in the last two games.
While Igor Shesterkin continues to work his way back from a groin strain, head coach David Quinn said the Rangers needed to be given another shot given Kinkid’s recent assignment.
“[Georgiev has] Got a good track record. He is obviously struggling a little bit, but Kinkaid played a lot of hockey here in a short period of time, ”Quinn said after practice on Tuesday. “We want to get Georgiev back, and we need him. But that being said, you have to play well.
“We’ve got to make sure that we put the best goalkeeper out there, and we know what he’s capable of, and we know that if we want success, we’ll need him.”
Georgiev has been drawn in each of the last two, first with a 5–1 loss to the Penguins on March 7 and then a 4–0 loss to the Bruins on Thursday. The 25-year-old Bulgarian currently holds a record of 4-4-2 against a 3.33 goals-against average and a .887 percent save.
“I’m not sure it’s a physical aspect. I think this is a mental piece for him, and [goaltending coach Benoit Allaire] Clearly working with him, “Quinn said. “It’s something that Georgiev has been very good at, he is mentally very tough because he’s here. Every player goes through a stretch, it’s probably not the best, and he’s been through that time. We’re from him. Are anticipating an exit. “
In games decided overtime this season, the Rangers are 5-4 on Monday, 1-3 after losing to the Flyers. His only win in an extra period was Alexis Lafreniere’s first NHL goal, as an OT game-winner on January 28 in Buffalo.
The Rangers have taken six games to do overtime – two of them were decided in the shootout. They are currently tied 1–1 in the skills competition.
Last season, the Rangers scored 5–3 in games decided in overtime. Of the 11 matchups that were not completed in regulation, the Rangers had to go to the shootout three times, and went 1-2.
“One of these [Monday], I thought we had possession, I don’t think we [took] Quinn said, “And I don’t think we did enough intervention and picketing.” “I didn’t think we tried to sneak in enough. I thought we let them get off the hook and we probably have a chance to exploit them a little bit, … we exhausted them and we did some Made changes
“We just got to make better decisions on three-three. We made some costly mistakes in the games that we lost, which could happen, but this is an area that we have made sure we clean up. “
The Rangers were waiting for updates on Adam Fox, Pavel Buchaniewicz and Phil de Giuseppe, who were in the COVID-19 protocol as of Tuesday.
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