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Shesterkin tops Tarasov in record setting goaltending duel to end Blue Jackets' streak
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- Shesterkin tops Tarasov in record setting goaltending duel to end Blue Jackets' streak
Danill Tarasov was fantastic on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
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The Blue Jackets' goalie posted his first NHL shutout with 27 saves but also became the first goalie in league history to take a loss while doing it — according to the NHL's stats department. Igor Shesterkin , the New York Rangers ' star goalie, also pitched a shutout with 27 saves for a 1-0 shootout victory to end the Blue Jackets' winning streak at six games. Vincent Trocheck 's goal in the second round of the shootout gave the Rangers the win, while the Blue Jackets (22-17-7) recorded a point for the seventh straight game.
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"It was a great hockey game," Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said on the FanDuel Sports Network postgame show. "Both teams played hard. It might not have been exciting, as far as scoring goals, but the effort was there by both teams, the desperation was there by both teams, and patience."
Jan 18, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mikael Pyyhtia (82) attempts a shot at New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin (31) while New York Rangers right wing Reilly Smith (91) defends during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
Tarasov made 23 saves in regulation plus four more in OT, including two against breakaways for Mika Zibanejad , the Rangers' top center. Shesterkin made three stops in overtime and got a stroke of luck when Zach Werenski sent a shot off the right post with 26 seconds remaining.
Tarasov stopped Zibanejad again in the shootout, keeping it going in the top of the third round with a save, and he also got some help from the left post against former Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin in the first frame. Trocheck beat him in the second with a low wrist shot inside the left post, which was the only shot that beat either goalie all night.
Jan 18, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin (31) guards the net against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
Shesterkin made saves against Kent Johnson , Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko to win the shootout and game, dropping the Blue Jackets to 4-1 in shootouts this season. Had the Blue Jackets pushed their winning streak to seven games, it would've been their first of that length since March 4-22, 2018, when they strung together 10 straight wins under former coach John Tortorella.
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"(Shesterkin) did an amazing job tonight," Tarasov said. "Three shootout (saves) and he was solid for his team. He gave them the chance to get this win. We played a really solid team game. We needed just one shot (to beat) this goalie, but the guys were amazing. They were blocking shots and they covered the slot a lot. They didn't give a lot of chances to the Rangers, so I think we kind of deserved the one point tonight."
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Shesterkin tops Tarasov to end Columbus Blue Jackets' winning streak
