Rangers and Shesterkin silence the Red Wings 4-1

Detroit – Igor Shesterkin is one of the best goaltenders in the world and the Red Wings got a first-hand look at how good he is on Monday.

The New York Rangers goalie made the difference with 31 saves as the Rangers defeated the Red Wings 4-1.

Dylan Larkin scored for the Wings, while Alexis Lafreniere, Chris Kreider (power play) and Reilly Smith responded with goals for the Rangers.

“Shesterkin is special, a very special goalkeeper, and he made the difference,” said coach Derek Lalonde. “We probably should have found a second goal in the second half, but he was the difference.”

Kreider’s goal in the 17th minute and 5 seconds of the second period marked the 1-1 tie. Mika Zibanejad found Kreider alone near the post on the power play, where Kreider was successful and pushed the puck past goaltender Alex Lyon.

“They have five guys (on the power play) that are really dangerous,” Lyon said. “We did a great job on the kill, blocked some shots and did pretty well, but sometimes you have to take your hat off.”

BOX SCORE: Rangers 4, Red Wings 1

Lyon made 24 saves in his season debut.

“Alex was good, he was excellent in the second period,” Lalonde said. “They had some quality (chances) and knowing how competitive he is, he would want a few of those (goals) back. But it’s a tough game tonight (against Shesterkin).”

The Rangers extended the lead with Smith’s first goal as a Ranger. After a game-winning pass from Zibanejad, Smith pounced on the puck and whistled a shot past Lyon, giving the Rangers a 3-1 lead at 4:51 of the third period.

Zibanejad capped it all off with an empty-net goal. Zibanejad (one goal, two assists) and Panarin (three assists) each had three points in the game.

But it was Shesterkin who consistently rebuffed the Wings.

A potential unrestricted free agent next summer, Shesterkin reportedly turned down an offer from the Rangers that would have paid Shesterkin $11 million per year for eight years. The Rangers are determined to keep Shesterkin, and most analysts expect something to be done.

More: Wings’ Justin Holl has a rollercoaster ride: “I know I’m an NHL player”

A game like Monday’s showed just how valuable Shesterkin is.

Shesterkin made big stops on JT Compher and Simon Edvinsson in the second half when the game was tied – the Wings were pressing and the Rangers were reeling – and later gave the Rangers a chance to take the lead.

Shesterkin frustrated Compher again late in the third period, in front of the goal crease, and the Wings were looking for a much-needed goal.

“We attracted some attention, but we have to make money, especially against an opponent like that and a goalkeeper like that,” Lalonde said.

The Wings went scoreless on four power play attempts, with Shesterkin proving impressive on those attempts.

The Wings placed great emphasis on the first five games of the season as they faced a talented Pittsburgh team and two each against potential Stanley Cup teams, the Rangers and Nashville. The Wings are 1-2-0 after a win over Nashville and losses to Pittsburgh and the Rangers.

The Wings return to host the Rangers at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday before completing the rugged stretch in Nashville on Saturday.

The Rangers opened the scoring when Lafreniere scored his second goal of the season. Panarin moved the puck through the slot and slid a pass to Lafreniere on the wing, who fired a one-timer past Lyon from close range at 11:45.

But the Wings answered shortly before the end of the first third.

Justin Holl, playing his second game since being recalled from Grand Rapids (which he waived earlier in the season), skated downfield from the point and centered a pass to Larkin in the slot for his second goal with just two seconds left shot the period.

“A great play and Justin showed some offense, he gave us another good game at the back,” Lalonde said.

Patrick Kane also scored an assist, his 814th assist in his career. Kane passed Westland native Mike Modano (813) for the second-most among U.S.-born players in NHL history, behind only Phil Housley (894).

The Rangers have earned at least one point in 12 of their last 13 games against the Wings (10-1-2) and in 19 of their last 21 games against the Wings since January 22, 2017 (record: 14-2-5). ).

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