In the Rangers' season opener, Igor Shesterkin shuts out the contract noise – and the game

PITTSBURGH — The chants began less than a minute into the season.

“Iiiii-gor! Eeew-gor! Eeeee-gor!”

These were neither shouts of greeting from the faithful at Madison Square Garden nor jeers at an ice rink after a goal was allowed. They were memories. Igor Shesterkin's contract expires after this year. Since it was announced Tuesday that he has already turned down the largest goaltending contract in NHL history, his impending free agency threatens to cast a shadow over the season.

The fans at PPG Paints Arena politely made sure no one forgot.

However, Shesterkin gave no indication that his contract status would be a hindrance to his play. Quite the opposite. The 28-year-old reminded himself on the opening night: He is one of the best in the world and the Rangers need him.

“It was nice to see it firsthand,” said newcomer Sam Carrick after New York’s 6-0 win. “Of course you hear about it when you play on other teams in the league, but when you watch it – even in training and in the evenings – he is a very special player.”

When asked before the game whether Shesterkin's situation could be a distraction, Peter Laviolette replied: “I think Igor is focused on hockey.” The coach's instincts proved correct. The goalie was sharp early, which allowed the Rangers to get into the game after allowing the Penguins early chances. Shesterkin's first save came after eight seconds when he stopped Anthony Beauvillier with his blocker. “I was a little lucky at that moment,” he said. He also got beyond his crease to rob Cody Glass midway through the first period, one of 10 saves he made in that period.

🗣️ IGOR! IGOR! #NHLFaceOff

Igor Shesterkin begins his 16th career @pepsi Shutdown in the @NYRangers'Start of the season! pic.twitter.com/vZDOPZP1l2

– NHL (@NHL) October 10, 2024

It wasn't until just halfway through the opening period that Laviolette felt like the Rangers had found their offensive rhythm. He praised Shesterkin for making some big saves up to that point and blocking everything the Penguins threw at him. At the end of the half, the Rangers had opened up a three-goal lead. Jacob Trouba – another player with something to prove after hearing his name mentioned in trade talks over the summer – helped along, picking up two early assists.

However, the Rangers' main star was Shesterkin.

“He seemed to see it really well and be in complete control of the game,” Laviolette said.

The Penguins had a chance to get back into the game in the second period following a goalkeeper interference penalty from Will Cuylle, but Shesterkin once again proved impossible to get out of the game. He fended off a direct attack from Rickard Rakell on the power play and then fended off Kevin Hayes. The Rangers extended their lead to 4-0 shortly after the penalty was converted. Filip Chytil buried a drop pass from Cuylle for his first goal since 2023. With the way Shesterkin was playing, the Penguins' hopes of a comeback were all but over.

“It’s great to have him behind us,” Chytil said. “He gives us that confidence. Even if we make a mistake or something, we know he has our back.”

Penguins fans were restless at the end of the third period. One of them shouted nothing to anyone and begged for just one goal. Shesterkin was having none of it. Just under six minutes before the end he fended off Lars Eller with a partial breakaway. By the end of the evening, according to Natural Stat Trick, he had saved 3.45 goals more than expected in all situations. The Rangers scored a few more goals for good measure.

“We did a great job in front of my eyes,” he said. “I saw every shot except maybe the first shot in the third period that hit the post.”

During their run to the Eastern Conference finals in the last playoffs, Shesterkin covered his teammates at points as opposing fielders outscored the Rangers'. That wasn't the case against Pittsburgh. The Rangers dominated the game from the start of the evening and ended up scoring more than 60 percent of their expected five-on-five goal percentage. They managed 41 shots on goal, which would have been the seventh-most shots last season.

This is all encouraging for the Rangers. Cleaning up the game in front of Shesterkin will be crucial for Laviolette's club as the year progresses.

“There are definitely things we can look at, there are areas we can improve,” the coach said, then acknowledged his safety net. “But (Shesterkin) was there.”

The goalkeeper's contract situation could continue throughout the season. He had as little interest in talking about his contract as he did in letting pucks into his net, and declined comment when asked about Tuesday's news and his stance on negotiations during the season was frustrated.

“I don’t want to talk about my contract,” he said. “If you want, we can talk about our team. We played a really good game today. … We can talk about (Victor) Mancini, (Alexis Lafrenière's) goal and anything you want.”

For now, his play will have to take the place of words. He finished Wednesday's game with 29 saves and the 16th shutout of his career. And by midway through the first period, Penguins fans had no interest in chanting his name.

(Photo: Justin Berl / Getty Images)