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    Fans Criticize Igor Shesterkin After Rangers' Game 3 Loss to Penguins

    Erin WalshMay 8, 2022

    PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 07: New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) follows the puck with Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jake Guentzel (59) and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) in front as New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (8) defends during the first period in Game Three of the First Round in the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins on May 7, 2022, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
    Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

    The New York Rangers fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-4 in Game 3 of their first-round playoff matchup at PPG Paints Arena, and Blueshirts fans weren't too happy with goaltender Igor Shesterkin.

    Shesterkin, a potential Vezina Trophy nominee, allowed four goals on 15 shots in the first period of Saturday's game as the Rangers entered the second frame down 4-1 to the Penguins.

    Alexandar Georgiev replaced Shesterkin for the remainder of the game, and the Rangers went on to score three goals in the second period to tie the game 4-4. With things all tied up entering the third period, Georgiev gave up a goal to Penguins forward Danton Heinen with about nine minutes remaining in the game.

    Pittsburgh added two empty-netters to seal the victory.

    After the loss, fans criticized the netminder for his performance.

    Competitive Hedge Podcast @CompHedgePod

    I really sat here and praised Igor Shesterkin for months just to see this

    Fans Criticize Igor Shesterkin After Rangers' Game 3 Loss to Penguins
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    Seth Rorabaugh @SethRorabaugh

    Igor Shesterkin has been pulled - potentially for humanitarian concerns - in favor of Alexandar Georgiev.

    emily @27anderslee

    evan rodrigues owns igor shesterkin

    Mark Williams @Spin_Doctor16

    <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/igorshesterkin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#igorshesterkin</a> of the <a href="https://twitter.com/NYRangers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NYRangers</a> showing why he is NOT the Hart Trophy winner. Sure, playoffs “don’t count” but he just let in 5 in game 3 and is getting beat by the Penguins 4th string goalie!

    Vinny Dacierno @vinny_dacierno

    Penguins owe Igor “Fraud” Shesterkin a huge thank u for this win

    Jed @Jedidiah412

    Louis Domingue is better than Igor Shesterkin

    Joe Gaudio @Jmgjr0810

    If Igor Shesterkin is the best goalie in the league, I don’t want to see who the worst is. Another wasted year as a Rangers fan. 28 and counting

    evil gritty @DrEvilGritty

    Igor Shesterkin? more like Igor LetsGoalsIn am I right??

    With the victory, the Penguins took a 2-1 series lead over the Rangers. It was an impressive win for Pittsburgh, which is playing without its top two goaltenders, Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith, due to injuries.

    Game 4 between the Rangers and Penguins is set for Monday at PPG Paints Arena.