The birthday boy has been sharp in net early for the @NYRangers. pic.twitter.com/nR3KqnJUAv
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) February 11, 2019
John Tavares was back in New York Sunday night playing the New York Rangers and Alexandar Georgiev shut him down early.
What a start for the New York Rangers and Alexandar Georgiev against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Coming off a poor effort Friday night, New York got off to a great start against Toronto, taking the lead just 28 seconds into the contest.
Then steps in Georgiev, who put the team on his back early in the first period.
The birthday boy has been sharp in net early for the @NYRangers. pic.twitter.com/nR3KqnJUAv
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) February 11, 2019
Celebrating his 23rd birthday Sunday night, Georgiev literally put on a penalty-killing show about a minute following a Mika Zibanejad goal. Toronto spent their entire power play in the Rangers’ end and Georgiev took the challenge.
He would end up making seven saves (yes, seven) on the Maple Leafs’ power play including an absolutely ridiculous save on former New York Islander John Tavares.
Thanks to the effort by Georgiev, New York would kill the remainder of the penalty unharmed.
Georgie saving for his birthday this year! pic.twitter.com/LZi1lcGxdB
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 11, 2019
Unfortunately for Georgiev, he would allow a goal to Kasperi Kapanen following a Tony DeAngelo turnover in the offensive zone.
So far this season, Georgiev is showing he can be a streaky goaltender. After not producing well in Hartford during the Rangers’ bye week, he came back up only allowing five goals on two games including the first period.
Georgiev was the sole reason the Rangers were able to come back and win 4-3 in a shootout Wednesday night against the Boston Bruins. The more and more he plays well, perhaps he can find himself getting some more starts down the road to rest the aging Henrik Lundqvist.
The Rangers currently lead the Maple Leafs 2-1 in the first period at Madison Square Garden.
