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New York Rangers News

Shesterkin will start Friday vs. the Red Wings.

Shesterkin stopped 29 of 31 shots in the Rangers loss to the Blue Jackets on January 19th. In his first three NHL starts, Shesterkin has gone 2-1-0 with a 2.68 GAA and .929 SV%. Tonight he is a terrific option with the Red Wings in town--Detroit lost five in a row before their bye week while averaging 1.67 goals per game.

Igor Shesterkin
The Penguins have signed Marcus Pettersson to a five-year extension worth $20.126 million ($4.025M AAV).

Pettersson’s extension kicks in at the start of the 2020-21 campaign and carries him through 2024-25. The 23-year-old blueliner has had a strong year in Pittsburgh, recording 15 points (1G / 14A) in 50 games and taking on a huge role while the Penguins have dealt with long-term injuries to Brian Dumoulin and Justin Schultz—Pettersson has played an average of 19:22 TOI/gm on the season but is over 20 minutes per game since the middle of December. He has showcased the ability to be a reliable top-4 defenseman and will now be paid as such.

Marcus Pettersson
The Blue Jackets have activated Oliver Bjorkstrand from IR.

Bjorkstrand has missed the last 13 games but is set to return Sunday in New York. Bjorkstrand was red-hot before getting hurt, scoring six goals with two assists (eight points) in his last seven games. His shot volume has been extremely impressive as well, setting him up for a potentially huge second half of the season.

Oliver Bjorkstrand
Shesterkin will start Thursday vs. the Devils.

Shesterkin allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Rangers win over the Avalanche on Tuesday. Shesterkin had a tough start, giving up two early goals but settled in and recorded a win in his NHL debut. On Thursday he will face a Devils team that has won four of their last five road games (4-1-0) while scoring 3.20 goals per game.

Igor Shesterkin
Shesterkin is in the starter's crease at the Rangers morning skate.

Shesterkin allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Rangers win over the Avalanche on Tuesday. Shesterkin had a tough start, giving up two early goals but settled in and recorded a win in his NHL debut. On Thursday he will face a Devils team that has won four of their last five road games (4-1-0) while scoring 3.20 goals per game.

Igor Shesterkin
Shesterkinn will make his NHL debut Tuesday vs. the Avalanche.

Shesterkin has been outstanding in the AHL this season, going 15-4-3 with a 1.93 GAA and .932 SV%, earning a shot at the NHL-level. Incredible numbers are becoming a trend for Shesterkin, who was 71-12-10 with a 1.49 GAA and .940 SV% in his last three years combined in the KHL. He will make his NHL debut against a Colorado team that played last night and have lost six of their last nine (3-5-1).

Igor Shesterkin
The Rangers have recalled Igor Shesterkin from Hartford (AHL).

Shesterkin is the Rangers' top goalie prospect and one of the best goalie prospects in the entire NHL. The 24-year-old was a fourth-round pick in 2014 and came over to North America this year. He has dominated at the AHL-level, going 15-4-3 with a 1.93 GAA and .932 SV% and deserves a look at the NHL-level. He had ridiculous numbers in the KHL over the last three seasons, never having a GAA over 1.69 and while posting a .940 SV% and winning 71 of 95 games.

Igor Shesterkin
The Bruins have sent Anton Blidh (shoulder) to Providence (AHL) on a long-term injury conditioning loan.

Blidh has yet to play this season after undergoing shoulder surgery in September but will get back up to game-speed with Providence. He spent most of his season there last season, posting 10 goals with 13 assists (23 points) in 74 games.

Anton Blidh
Korpisalo underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus and will miss 4-to-6 weeks.

Head coach John Tortorella said that Korpisalo would be out "weeks" but it is officially at least one month. The Blue Jackets will be without their starting netminder until early-to-mid February, forcing Elvis Merzlikins into the No.1 role for the first time in his career.

Joonas Korpisalo
Korpisalo is expected to miss "weeks" with a knee injury.

Korpisalo has been among the best goalies in the NHL since mid-November, ranking first in the NHL in wins (11), tied for second in shutouts (2), tied for sixth in GAA (2.04) and tied for 10th in SV% (.926) over that span. Korpisalo suffered a knee injury during the shootout vs. Chicago last night and now the Blue Jackets turn to an inexperienced duo of Elvis Merzlikins and Matiss Kivlenieks.

Joonas Korpisalo
Korpisalo left Sunday's game with a lower-body injury.

Korpisalo was hurt in the first round of the shootout during the Blue Jackets' loss to the Blackhawks on Sunday. He showed some discomfort after Jonathan Toews scored on him and it got progressively worse, ending in Korpisalo being wheeled into the dressing room on a gurney. Korpisalo is set to undergo an MRI and further evaluation before the Blue Jackets release a detailed timetable.

Joonas Korpisalo
Korpisalo will start Friday in Washington.

Korpisalo allowed two goals on 37 shots in the Blue Jackets' win over the Islanders on Monday. Korpisalo is on a five-game winning streak, posting a really impressive 1.60 GAA, .941 SV% and one shutout. The shutout came against the Capitals, who he'll face for the third time this season--he is 2-0 and has stopped 67 of 69 shots (.971 SV%) in the first two meetings.

Joonas Korpisalo
Bjorkstrand will miss 4-to-6 weeks with rib/cartilage contusion and oblique strain.

Bjorkstrand took a cross-check against the Devils on Saturday and will miss at least one month with a mid-body injury. Bjorkstrand was red-hot before getting hurt, scoring five goals with two assists in his previous four games. Nathan Gerbe was called up from Cleveland (AHL) to replace Bjorkstrand.

Oliver Bjorkstrand