Shesterkin makes 26 saves, Rangers pull away from Panthers in 3rd

NEW YORK -- Igor Shesterkin made 26 saves, and the New York Rangers scored three goals in the third period to win their second straight game, defeating the Florida Panthers 3-1 at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

Shesterkin kept it scoreless with 15 saves in the first period, including five in a row with the Panthers on a power play that started at 7:53. He made three saves in the second period and eight more in the third.

“I don’t think anybody inside of our dressing room or inside of our organization takes ‘Shesty’ for granted,” Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said of Shesterkin. “He’s elite at what he does. He’s a superstar goaltender in this league and he gives us a chance to win each and every night with the timely saves that he makes.”

Adam Sykora, playing in his third NHL game, scored his second goal in as many games for New York. Conor Sheary scored a short-handed goal, and Adam Fox had an empty-net goal and an assist.

The Rangers (30-35-9) have already been eliminated from postseason contention.

“We’re competitors, we all go out there to win, and I think you’re always playing for something,” Fox said. “For us, it would be a disservice to our teammates, fans, the organization to go out there and not give what we have. Obviously, it’s a tricky spot when you’re eliminated and there’s draft position and everything like that, but for us in here, we’re not focused on that.

“We’re trying to bring a good game, bring something we can be proud of, and go home and sleep good knowing we gave it our all out there. I think we’ve been doing a pretty good job of that.”

Mackie Samoskevich scored, and Sergei Bobrovsky made 18 saves for the Panthers (35-35-3), who have lost three games in a row and seven of eight (1-6-1), including 5-2 to the New York Islanders on Saturday.

“Just keep plugging away,” Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad said. “There’s not many left and just have to stick together, do it together and find a way to feel good about ourselves at some point.”

Sykora gave New York a 1-0 lead at 5:10 of the third period, scoring on a deflection of Fox’s pass from the top of the right face-off circle after teaming with Noah Laba and Will Cuylle to keep the puck by winning a forecheck battle low in the zone.

The puck got up to Vladislav Gavrikov at the left point. He bumped it down to Laba, who touched it up to Fox on the right side. Fox used the ice in front of him to get closer and his pass toward the net found Sykora’s stick as the rookie was cutting through the slot.

“I saw him presenting his stick,” Fox said. “There’s other times when you just throw it into the mix and hope it hits something, but that was one of those where we kind of saw each other and I was looking for his stick.”

The Rangers have been loving Sykora’s energy and enthusiasm, with Sullivan saying it’s “contagious” and he has no doubt the 21-year-old will continue to bring it.

“It’s hard not to like that guy,” Sullivan said. “The energy he exudes, I don’t think he’s ever had a bad day in his life.”

Said Fox: “To see that enthusiasm, that joyfulness and that excitement, it definitely makes you happy. You’re happy for him and you realize how meaningful it is to be playing in the NHL and doing what we’re doing. He’s been amazing since he’s been up.”

Sheary extended it to 2-0 at 11:14, scoring on a short-handed breakaway set up by J.T. Miller with four seconds remaining in Florida’s power play.

“I saw ‘Mill’ had complete possession,” Sheary said. “I think if it was a 50-50, I might be a little bit more timid to get going on the breakaway, but their ‘D’ were way up on the blue line and I saw an opportunity to go. He made a great pass to put me in on a breakaway.”

Fox scored into the empty net with a shot from below the Rangers’ goal line at 16:06 to make it 3-0.

Samoskevich cut it to 3-1 at 19:19 after breaking his stick on the shot and watching Shesterkin miss as he tried to swat at the puck in the air.

“It’s a weird one for sure,” Samoskevich said. “I’ll take it, but not the one I thought would go in.”

Matthew Tkachuk thought he had a goal to put Florida up 1-0 at 3:26 of the third period, but the Rangers successfully challenged for offside. Video review determined Tkachuk preceded the puck into the offensive zone at 3:22.

“We’ll take zeroes going into the third period on the road all day long and then it’s just going to be one break or the other,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “I liked the chances that we had that we didn’t get to go for us. Their guy made some saves.”

NOTES: Panthers forward A.J. Greer had one shot on goal in 16:42 of ice time in his return after serving a three-game suspension for boarding on March 20. … Fox recorded his 13th career multipoint third period, passing Brad Park for the fourth most by a Rangers defenseman, behind Brian Leetch (22), Ron Greschner (21) and James Patrick (18). … Sykora joined Laba (March 12-14) as the second Rangers rookie to score in consecutive games this season. The last time the Rangers had multiple rookies achieve the feat in the same season was 2016-17 (Pavel Buchnevich: four games and two games; Jimmy Vesey two games; twice).