Igor Shesterkin Puts The Boys On His Back Before Rangers Pull Out A Double OT Victory

Jared Silber. Getty Images.

What. A. Game.

Throughout the first 60 minutes it was a pretty even tilt. Two juggernaut squads went back and forth in a hard-fought matchup that personified what this series was expected to be. But special teams ended up the difference yet again. The Blueshirts stifled the Canes PP all night long while their own powerplay evened the score in the third before sealing the victory in double OT thanks to none other than former Hurricane Vinny Trocheck:

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But the Rangers don't get anywhere near the second overtime if not for Igor Shesterkin. That's 29 straight playoff games now where Shesty has kept the opposition to 3 or less - and he really had to earn this one, especially the first half of the first OT. Carolina dominated play and had several high-danger chances but the former Vezina winner was a flat-out wall long enough for his teammates to level play and eventually cash in the winner for a 2-0 series lead. 54 stops - including the final 32 from the third period on - proving to anyone watching that when all else fails for this squad you still gotta find a way to beat the best goalie in the world.

Good fucking luck.

As they've done all regular season, the fellas just keep finding ways to win. Incredible. 6 down, 10 to go. We're on to Carolina to put foot to throat in enemy territory while the Canes scratch their heads and try to figure out how to salvage their postseason lives.

VIVA LA BLUESHIRTS!!!!