The New York Rangers face the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, North Carolina, at 7 p.m. EDT on Tuesday.
The Hurricanes, on a three-game winning streak, lead the division with a 39-19-6 overall record. The Rangers, with a 42-18-4 overall record, boast a 12-5-0 record in Metropolitan Division games. The teams meet for the third time this season, with the Hurricanes winning the previous matchup 6-1.
Key players include Jake Guentzel and Sebastian Aho for the Hurricanes, and Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck for the Rangers.
Carolina is 7-2-1 in the last 10 games, averaging 3.5 goals, while the Rangers hold a similar record, averaging 3.4 goals.
Shesterkin’s Stellar Streak:
Igor Shesterkin boasts an impressive record of 27-13-2, with a 2.60 goals-against average (GAA), a .912 save percentage (SV%), and two shutouts. The Russian goaltender displayed his brilliance by stopping all 26 shots in a shutout victory over the St. Louis Blues last Saturday. Notably, he has held opponents to three goals or fewer in the last seven starts, showcasing consistency. However, his encounters with Carolina this season have been a mixed bag, with one standout performance (26 saves in a 2-1 win on Nov. 2) and one challenging outing (allowing 6 goals on 27 shots in a 6-1 defeat on Jan. 2).
Kochetkov’s Resilience:
On the opposing end, Pyotr Kochetkov, with a record of 17-11-3, a 2.39 GAA, and a .910 SV%, has been a formidable force. In his recent outing, he stopped 23 of 25 shots in a 4-2 victory over New Jersey, highlighting his ability to bounce back. Kochetkov has consistently kept opponents at bay, allowing three or more goals in just one of his last 15 starts. Notably, he was pivotal in the 6-1 victory over the Rangers on Jan. 2, stopping 28 of 29 shots.
Head-to-Head History:
The goaltenders’ history against each other adds an intriguing layer to this matchup. Shesterkin and Kochetkov faced off on Jan. 2, with Shesterkin enduring a tough night, allowing six goals in a 6-1 defeat. It sets the stage for redemption for the Rangers’ netminder, while Kochetkov aims to continue his success against this formidable opponent.
As the puck drops, the spotlight will be on these two skilled goalies, each with their unique strengths and recent triumphs. The clash promises an exciting goaltending duel that could ultimately tip the scales in favor of either the Rangers or their opponents.
