Getting Something Straight Right Now About Rangers Goaltending

Yeah, Igor Shesterkin will be in goal tonight at The Garden but it's one game too late.

Iggy – being Iggy – should beat the Senators who were picked by the Hockey News Yearbook to finish seventh out of eight Atlantic Division teams.

Then again, the Canadiens were tabbed to finish LAST in the Atlantic and looked at what they did to the Rangers in Habtown.

They beat them in overtime with backup Jonathan Quick in goal. The Maven's point is that Shesterkin should have started, not the 38-year-old sub-goalie.

Nothing against Quick who – according to some experts – played expertly in Montreal. That includes my superscout Jess Rubenstein, who gave J.Q. an A for effort.

"The problem in Montreal was not Quick," says Rubenstein, "it was the guys in front of him who did not play defense. It doesn't matter who the goalie is if he's lacking support."

But that's not my point. Quick gave up five – count 'em FIVE – goals in what could have been a four-point win against the Habs.

You can't tell me that Shesty – in the same circumstances – would have allowed more than three; maybe even two goals.

"In the current chancy – make the playoffs or not make the playoffs – situation, Laviolette must ride his Number One," says The Old Scout. "That's the reason he got a record contract. So much is at stake."

Which reminds me that former Devils coach Jacques Lemaire recently talked about his Hall of Fame goalie Martin Brodeur and made a good point about the goalie's work habits.

"Marty never wanted to stop playing whether there were back to back games or not," says Lemaire. "He never wanted to be 'rested.'"

Shesterkin should play tonight against Ottawa and Thursday when the Flyers invade The Garden. And, yes, again on Sunday afternoon at MSG vs.Colorado.

And, please, please, no alibis about him being "tired."