New York Rangers coach Gerard Gallant, trying to ‘spark your staff with a goalie change,’ pulls Igor Shesterkin in Recreation three loss

New York Rangers coach Gerard Gallant mentioned pulling star goaltender Igor Shesterkin after the primary interval in Recreation three in opposition to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night time was meant to spark the staff and provides the netminder some relaxation.

The Rangers would go on to lose the sport in Pittsburgh 7-Four and now path the Penguins 2-1 of their Jap Convention first-round collection.

Gallant determined to tug Shesterkin with the Rangers down 4-1 after he stopped 11 of 15 photographs.

“Two of them have been fortunate bounces. It is 4-1 and also you wish to change momentum. Igor has been excellent — and actually, should you take a look at it proper now, he is performed 10 durations, kind of, in principally 4½, 5 days. I assumed it was a very good time to jump-start it,” the coach mentioned.

The Rangers responded with three targets within the second interval to tie the sport earlier than ultimately faltering.

“It was 4-1. It was completely tilted. Generally you spark your staff with a goalie change. Igor was our MVP all season. I assumed we would give him somewhat relaxation tonight and hopefully spark our staff. And it labored,” Gallant mentioned. Backup Alexandar Georgiev made 19 saves in aid however gave up a stoppable objective to Penguins ahead Danton Heinen at 11:02 of the third interval that gave Pittsburgh a lead it could not relinquish.

However Gallant and the Rangers gamers mentioned the important thing to Recreation three wasn’t how they completed however how they began.

“I do not assume we’re enjoying collectively,” Rangers ahead Chris Kreider mentioned. “Particularly at this level within the season, it is not one thing you query. It is a matter of working sensible, not simply arduous. It is a good studying expertise for our group. First spherical interval for us within the playoff.”

Gallant mentioned his message after the primary interval was one in all satisfaction.

“Let’s man up and be males about this. We’re not gonna die. We’re not gonna sit again and allow them to proceed to play like that in opposition to us,” he mentioned. “We got here out and we battled again in that hockey sport.”

The Rangers and Penguins play Recreation Four on Monday night time.