New York Rangers goal-tender Igor Shesterkin was the talk of the town after stopping 37 shots and providing two assists in their 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 6 of their NHL second round playoffs series.
The Rangers forced a Game 7 in the series as they continued their excellent home form buoyed by a strong start, winning their sixth straight game at Madison Square Garden.
Tyler Motte and Mika Zibanejad scored in the first period to earn Rangers a 2-0 lead with Filip Chytil netting two goals in the second. Artemi Panarin added another in the third period to close out the victory.
But Shesterkin earned praise from Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant after becoming only the fifth goalie in NHL history to have two or more assists in a playoff game.
"He made some real key saves for us," Gallant told reporters.
"Obviously the two assists are huge, but I think he was trying to get three there in the third when he passed it up the middle.
"He's outstanding. He's been like that all year for us."
Shesterkin now has three assists in 13 postseason games, setting up Zibanejad's first-period goal, along with Chytil's second.
"About the two assists, honestly, I think it was mostly the guys that did all the work," Shesterkin said via a translator. "I just got them the puck and they delivered."
Gallant was delighted with Rangers' home form, stating it did not surprise him, but the series-deciding Game 7 will be played in Carolina where the Hurricanes are 7-0 in this postseason.
"We have to play how we play at home," Chytil said.
"We found a way to win in Pittsburgh. It's a Game 7 now, so we have to find a way to win the game.
"We have to play hard, we have to play our game and don't focus on any other thing. Just focus on the game and I think we can win the game.”"
Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour admitted his side started too "raw" but was eager to move on with Game 7 on Monday.
"It's behind us now, we turn the page," Brind'Amour said. "The good news is we don't have to end on that. We have another shot here."