Make it 5️⃣0️⃣ saves for Georgie on his birthday!!
He is the 7th #NYR in franchise history with 50 or more in a game.
The last to do it was Henrik last year, on his birthday!
? pic.twitter.com/pWY6SYPX67— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 11, 2019
It was the Alexandar Georgiev show as the New York Rangers beat the Maple Leafs at the Garden Sunday night.
- Toronto Maple Leafs: 1 (34-18-3, 71 points)
- New York Rangers: 4 (24-23-8, 56 points)
- TOR Goals: Kasperi Kapanen (16)
- NYR Goals: Mika Zibanejad (23), Jimmy Vesey (12), Adam McQuaid (2), Kevin Hayes (13)
- NHL. Final. Boxscore.
- Madison Square Garden, New York, NY.
What a night it was for New York Rangers backup goaltender Alexandar Georgiev.
Challenged with the task of facing the star-studded Toronto Maple Leafs, Georgiev ended up facing 56 shots on goal only allowing one goal leading the Rangers to a 4-1 victory.
There is simply no denying it, Georgiev stole the show on his 23rd birthday after being pestered with shots all throughout the game.
The shot clock was so uneven that Toronto would manage to generate 23 shots on goal, on their powerplay. To put that statistic into perspective, the Rangers generated 30 shots on goal against Garrett Sparks … for the game.
The 54 saves for Georgiev were a career high and made him the second goaltender in the last 32 year to make 50 or more saves on his birthday. The last to do it you may ask? Henrik Lundqvist, last season.
It all started with the Rangers jumping out early on the red hot Leafs who were riding a six-game points streak entering play Sunday. Just 28 seconds into the first period, Mika Zibanejad would put the Rangers up 1-0.
Blueshirts go to work ? tonight pic.twitter.com/prQ1SpQxMX
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 11, 2019
But shortly after, George would be put to work where he made one of the best saves you’ll ever see on former New York Islanders star John Tavares.
Georgie saving for his birthday this year! pic.twitter.com/LZi1lcGxdB
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 11, 2019
Georgiev would make 14 saves on the power play in the first period alone without allowing a goal. The only blemish on his stat line came off a Kasperi Kapanen breakaway goal following a Tony DeAngelo turnover in the offensive zone.
Thanks to his great goaltending, Georgiev gave the Rangers a chance and they took advantage of it with Jimmy Vesey scoring his first goal since Jan 13.
What a pass! What a finish! #NYR pic.twitter.com/dhTczN1shf
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 11, 2019
Adam McQuaid and Kevin Hayes would add on two more goals, and the Rangers would hold on for the 4-1 victory.
New York returns to the ice Tuesday night when they take on the Winnipeg Jets in Winnipeg.
Henrik gets the puck for Georgie and gives it to him for his birthday present after his 5️⃣5️⃣ save win! #NYR pic.twitter.com/tJaCONshpo
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 11, 2019
#NYR goalie ?❤️? pic.twitter.com/0O8My9IufG
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 11, 2019
Kasperi Kapenen ?
Rangers give up the puck to the speedy Kapanen. No chance ?. 1-1. pic.twitter.com/ZZ0c9XYwgb
— Flintor (@TheFlintor) February 11, 2019
Adam McQuaid beats Sparks from the blue line to put the Rangers up 3-1 pic.twitter.com/AS5FSplPIf
— Breadman Gets Paid (@FitzGSN_) February 11, 2019
Great play by Mika Zibanejad on the PK pic.twitter.com/48K2zbfTOs
— Breadman Gets Paid (@FitzGSN_) February 11, 2019
Zibanejad got Jake Muzzin chasing his tail like a dog pic.twitter.com/390ok3Q0sa
— Breadman Gets Paid (@FitzGSN_) February 11, 2019
John Tavares can't score on Georgiev ?? pic.twitter.com/Bbn4PHxbu9
— Breadman Gets Paid (@FitzGSN_) February 11, 2019
