Following their feelgood win over the Avalanche on Monday, the Rangers were back to work at practice in Greenburgh. As they prepared for the Lightning who visit Madison Square Garden tomorrow night, coach Peter Laviolette faces an interesting goalie decision.

It seems that he’s undecided on who to start for the Rangers’ second game after the break. Arthur Staple of The Athletic reported that Jonathan Quick was the first goalie off earlier today. Considering how well he’s played, which included a super 32-save performance that earned him the game’s first star on Feb. 5, it isn’t surprising that he might be thinking about sticking with the hot hand.

When pressed about it, Laviolette said, “There’s kind of a long-term plan and there’s a short-term plan, and at times those things change.”

It doesn’t necessarily mean that he won’t go back to Igor Shesterkin. However, it’s hard to ignore how well Quick’s played this season. He also got the start versus the Senators before the All-Star break. It was the 38-year-old veteran netminder who kept his team in it after they fell behind 2-0 on Jan. 27. They came back to win 7-2 over the Senators to stay in first place. Quick made 29 saves.

For the season, Quick’s up to 11-4-2 with a 2.35 goals-against-average (GAA) and a .918 save percentage. He also has the Rangers’ only two shutouts. Nobody could’ve predicted it. Especially with Quick coming off his worst season.

It was a frustrating one that saw the greatest Kings’ goalie in franchise history sent to the Blue Jackets on Mar. 2, 2023. Columbus is basically the Siberia of the NHL. Quick never even played a game. He was rerouted to the Golden Knights, where he won a third Stanley Cup. It was a nice reward for a well-respected player who’s always personified class on and off the ice.

Although he played a little better in Vegas by winning five games while posting a 3.13 GAA and a .901 save percentage, there was nothing to indicate that he’d turn back the clock. It says a lot about his character and determination. Quick’s a very competitive player who battles as hard as any goalie. His style is a bit unorthodox. Having Rangers goalie coach Benoit Allaire work with him has definitely helped revitalize his career.

Allaire was praised by 2023 Hall of Fame inductee Henrik Lundqvist during his acceptance speech in Toronto. He also had success with former Rangers Cam Talbot and Antti Raanta. Even MSG Networks’ Steve Valiquette credits him for the time he spent as a backup in the Big Apple.

Unlike those predecessors, Quick’s got an impressive resume that includes a Conn Smythe and was largely responsible for both the Los Angeles Kings’ Cups. Unfortunately, the Rangers became a victim two years after the Devils had a similar fate. Quick outplayed Martin Brodeur and Lundqvist in the Stanley Cup Finals. That’s how clutch he was in Hollywood.

For his career, he’s up to 386 victories. That’s 14 away from 400. A significant number that only 13 goalies have achieved. Quick trails Ryan Miller by five for the most wins by an American born goalie. If he doesn’t make the Hockey Hall of Fame, he’s certainly a lock for the US Hockey Hall of Fame.

Where does all this leave Shesterkin? Despite having a down season, the 28-year-old Russian is considered by many to be one of the league’s best goaltenders. However, the numbers don’t lie. Despite a 19-12-1 record, he’s posted a mediocre 2.86 GAA and a .899 save percentage.

With 32 games left on the schedule, Shesterkin must rediscover the form that won him a Vezina in 2021-22. He can’t keep alternating between one good game and two pedestrian ones. The inconsistency boils down to him, allowing soft goals at inopportune moments. The Rangers need him if they want to have any chance this spring.

Maybe taking part in the All-Star Game festivities can reinvigorate him. He’s too good to be so wildly inconsistent. There are $5.67 million reasons for Shesterkin to perform better. As hard as it is to believe, next season will be a contract year. There’s a lot riding on the line. What happens for the rest of this season could help the Rangers organization decide what they want to do over the long haul.

It’s hard to envision Shesterkin wearing another jersey. That could become a reality in 17 months. Imagine the keys being handed to Dylan Garand. The former 2020 fourth round pick is 11-6-3 with a 2.75 GAA and a .908 save percentage in his second pro season with the Hartford Wolf Pack. Garand’s only 21. He’s probably another year away.

Regardless of what Laviolette decides for Wednesday night’s game against the Lightning, it’s still going to come down to Shesterkin. He’ll determine how the remainder of the season goes.