WASHINGTON – Alexandar Georgiev got the start in goal in the season opener for the Rangers Wednesday against the Capitals.
Coach Gerard Gallant said because of the back-to-back games – the Rangers play their home opener Thursday night at Madison Square Garden against Dallas – he intended to split the games with his two goaltenders. That suggests Igor Shesterkin will start the home opener Thursday.
“Very seldom are we ever going to play goalies back-to-back,’’ Gallant said at the morning skate. “It might happen once in a while, but we’ve got two good goalies, and we’re very confident our goaltending.’’
Gallant stopped short of announcing Shesterkin would start Thursday, but reiterated “not very often’’ will a goalie start both ends of a back-to-back.
Strome: It’s nice to be recognized
Ryan Strome said being named one of six alternate captains Monday doesn’t define him, but it was “nice to be recognized.’’
“I’ve always tried to be a guy that tries to say and do the right things, try to lift my teammates up, be a good guy, keep it light,’’ he said. “But definitely, to be rewarded is a great feeling . . . I’ve been a captain at pretty much every level except the NHL, and I can tick that one off. So it’s a nice feeling. My mom was pretty happy. I’ll have to get the trainers to give me a jersey with an ‘A’ on it for my basement.’’
Goodrow watches Lightning raise banner
Barclay Goodrow, another of the six alternate captains, said it was a little weird watching his old team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, play in the NHL opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday.
“I watched the banner raising,’’ he said. “It’s pretty cool to see something going up in the rafters that you helped contribute to.’’
Goodrow said he has not yet received his Stanley Cup ring from the Lightning, but thought he may get it when the Rangers visit Tampa Dec. 31.
