from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

Because though the Rangers rolled to 110 points, good for seventh-overall in the NHL, they were too dependent on Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin, who recorded a .935 save percentage, after flirting much of the season with Jacques Plante’s record .944. The Blueshirts were 28-3-1 when Shesterkin posted at least a .925 save percentage., but just 7-10-3 when he did not.

That was largely a function of a stalled five-on-five attack. The Rangers scored a sum of two goals or fewer 28 times, more than a quarter of the season. They ranked 20th in five-on-five goals per 60 minutes at 2.35 per while 31st (that’s next to last) in shot attempts and 30th in shots on net. They will have to improve in these areas to take some of the burden off their all-star netminder and incoming backup Jaro Halak.

They’ll need more even-strength production from Zibanejad, who registered only 12 goals, as compared to his 19 in 57 games in 2019-20. And they will require a meaningful contribution from Kravtsov, getting the opportunity for a top-six slot a year after the winger had said that he foresaw no path to that before skedaddling back to Russia.

Gallant joked (I think) when asked if the Rangers could rely on Shesterkin putting up similar numbers this season. Now that I think of it, I never had asked then-head coaches Tom Renney, John Tortorella or Alain Vigneault whether any could count on Henrik Lundqvist to duplicate his previous work any given season. Of course, the Blueshirts were too reliant on the King.

“Yes, because I expect Kreider to get 52 goals …,” he answered the question with a smile. “I do expect the team to be better in all areas.”

You know what? That is an expectation the Rangers should be able to meet.

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