For one night, Igor Shesterkin turned back the clock. The former Vezina winner channeled his 2021-22 form when he carried the Rangers to within two victories of playing for the Stanley Cup.

In an outstanding performance from start to finish, Shesterkin made 41 saves to lift the Rangers to a 3-1 win over the Stars at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night. It improved the Rangers to a perfect 7-0 in February. Backdating to Jan. 27, they’ve won a season high eight games in a row.

By continuing their winning ways, they lead the Metropolitan Division by six points over the Hurricanes. The Rangers have 26 games remaining on the schedule. The Canes have 27 left. There’s one regular season meeting left between the teams on Mar. 12 in Raleigh.

For a while, it’s been a two horse race for first place in the division. If they can continue to get the kind of goaltending Shesterkin supplied tonight, give the edge to the Blueshirts. This was the same quality he provided in the second round to eliminate the Hurricanes two years ago.

Shesterkin Delivers In Clutch

Throughout the game, Shesterkin delivered in the clutch. He came up with several big saves to rev up the home crowd who saluted him with trademark, “Ig-or, Ig-or” chants.

The 28-year-old starting goalie had the glove working against one of the league’s best teams. The Stars entered play, leading the Central Division over the Avalanche and Jets. They were looking to rebound from consecutive 4-3 losses to the Oilers and Bruins in extras. They put forth a good effort by outshooting the Rangers 42-25.

Ultimately, Shesterkin was the difference between winning and losing. In what was his best game of the season, he stopped the offensive-minded Stars in their tracks. None were better than his acrobatic save to deny Tyler Seguin of tying the game with 4:18 remaining in the third period. It was pretty clutch.

After Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen got a tricky shot on Shesterkin that he kicked out, he was on his back when he stuck out his blocker to prevent Seguin from tying it late in regulation. It was a desperation save. Afterward, Shesterkin admitted that he got a little lucky.

That concentration was supreme. It was one of 17 saves he made during a Stars’ third period onslaught. They tested him often. He wouldn’t budge. His consistency was the biggest key to the Rangers coming out with the victory. It was his fourth straight win. However, unlike giving up five goals on 41 shots to the Islanders in a wild comeback win at the Stadium Series this past Sunday, Feb. 18, this was vintage Shesterkin.

He stopped 31 of 31 shots at even strength to match his jersey number. He also stopped 10 of 11 shots while shorthanded. The only one that beat him was a wide open Heiskanen tally on a Jamie Benn pass with Shesterkin out of the play in the second period.

The Stars’ best shooters couldn’t solve him. Wyatt Johnston certainly created some dangerous chances. But Shesterkin made the key saves to keep him off the scoreboard. Benn and Seguin had their opportunities. They were shut down. Mason Marchment tried to go high glove following a Braden Schneider turnover. Shesterkin didn’t bite.

It was a brilliant game. Hopefully, it’s one that Shesterkin can build upon. He’ll see Jack Hughes and the Devils next on Thursday night at The Prudential Center. You know he’ll be geared up. Especially with the Devils desperate for points.

Fox Gives Rangers the Lead

In what can best be described as a wide open first period that saw both Shesterkin and Scott Wedgewood come up with good saves, it was the Rangers who grabbed the lead thanks to Adam Fox.

On a scramble behind the net, Artemi Panarin retrieved a loose puck and then came out and found an open Fox for his ninth goal of the season with 12:14 remaining in the period.

The warrior-like Ryan Lindgren picked up a secondary assist. After needing 10 stitches to repair a cut stemming from taking an accidental follow-through to the face in Sunday’s win over the Islanders, Lindgren suited up by wearing the full face mask helmet. That’s who he is.

Despite the Stars holding a 10-6 edge in shots, they were unable to beat a sharp Shesterkin. He was in a zone early.

Kakko Stays Hot

During an action-packed second period that saw both sides trade chances at each end to combine for 29 shots (15-14 Stars), only two goals were scored. The first came from the suddenly hot Kaapo Kakko.

Following a Vincent Trocheck tripping minor in the offensive zone that ended a power play, the Stars and Rangers skated four aside. During it, both Erik Gustafsson and K’Andre Miller kept the puck alive in the Stars zone. Taking a Gustafsson feed, Kakko surprised Wedgewood by firing a wrist shot high blocker to the short side to put the Rangers up 2-0 with 11:37 left in the period.

The goal extended Kakko’s point streak to five straight, matching a career high set back in 2021. Dating back to Jan. 26, he has four goals and three assists for seven points over his last nine games. Even with his name still mentioned in trade rumors, Kakko’s picked up his game. His hard work earned him a promotion from Rangers coach Peter Laviolette. He moved him up to the top line and sent Jimmy Vesey down to the third line. A well-deserved reward for Kakko.

The 2-0 lead was short-lived. On the Stars power play, they struck less than a minute later to make it a one-goal game. Benn got to a Joe Pavelski rebound in front and redirected a pass right to Heiskanen for an easy goal with Shesterkin out of the play.

The score would remain the same headed to the third period.

Igor’s Time to Shine

The third period was all about one player. Shesterkin. It was Igor’s time to shine.

The Stars controlled most of the play. They gained the Rangers zone without much resistance. Despite plenty of puck possession and an abundance of scoring chances, they were blanketed by Shesterkin. He wasn’t having it.

There were strong denials on Seguin and Benn early in the period. He stopped Johnston on a dangerous opportunity. Johnston was the best Star in the game. He dominated most shifts with his speed and skill. However, he couldn’t beat Shesterkin.

Then came the two highway robberies on Seguin. After he had a shot in front stopped, Seguin thought he had the tying goal only to watch in disbelief. A diving Shesterkin reached out with his blocker to make the save of the game with 4:20 left.

Eventually, the Stars lifted Wedgewood for an extra attacker with over two minutes remaining. Following a timeout, Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad made key defensive plays to get the puck out to Trocheck, who hit the open net with 1:41 to go.

For good measure, Shesterkin made four more saves, including a trio on Jason Robertson. It was his night. He shined bright under the spotlight in the Big Apple tonight.