SUNRISE, Fla. — 15 days separated Jaroslav Halak’s second consecutive spectacular goaltending performance.
The 37-year-old goaltender, who began his career with a record of 1-6-1 in his first eight appearances, won his second consecutive game by stopping 32 of 35 shots and was instrumental in the Rangers’ 6-3 victory at Philadelphia on December 17.
Throughout the second period and early in the third, when the Panthers continually rushed the Rangers’ net, Halak was of critical importance.
Igor Shesterkin had played in the last five consecutive games for the Blueshirts, who face Carolina at home on Tuesday, then travel to Montreal on Thursday and New Jersey on Saturday afternoon.
“He is a teammate. When asked why he started Halak, head coach Gerard Gallant responded, “He’s a huge part of our group.” He’s been outstanding.
Sunday after the Rangers’ victory over the Panthers, goaltender Jaroslav Halak and center Mika Zibanejad embrace.
AP
Sunday, the fourth-line center Jonny Brodzinski was healthy scratched to facilitate Alexis Lafreniere’s return to the lineup following his one game in street clothes in Tampa on Thursday.
Brodzinski has played in eleven consecutive games after missing the match against the Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden on December 3, the day he was recalled from the AHL Wolf Pack. The 29-year-old has two points (1-1) and a plus-three rating at five-on-five (on for five goals for and two against) while averaging 9:41 per game on the ice.
Brodzinski is one of two Rangers centers with a winning record at the dots; his 53.3 percent (40 wins, 35 loses) is second only to Vincent Trocheck’s 57.5 percent.
Libor Hajek was a healthy scratch for the eighth consecutive game on defense.
The Rangers entered the game having gone 0 for 8 on the power play in their previous two games and 1 for 17 in their previous four.
The Panthers entered the game having lost one fewer game in regulation under head coach Paul Maurice than they did all of last season when earning the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s top regular-season team at 58-18-6 with Joel Quenneville (7-0) and Andrew Brunette at the helm.
Brunette, who was fired after Florida’s second-round sweep by Tampa Bay, is now the assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils, reporting to head coach Lindy Ruff.
The Panthers began the day eight points short of a playoff spot and needed to pass Buffalo, Detroit, the Rangers, and the Islanders to secure a wild-card slot.
Since the end of World War II, there have been just five instances in which a team failed to make the playoffs while having the best regular-season record in the NHL.
The Bruins, who won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2013-14 but did not make the playoffs the following year, are the most recent team to earn this unfortunate distinction.
»Rangers’ backup goaltender Jaroslav Halak continues to impress«