Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette reiterated twice that goalie Igor Shesterkin is “still our guy.”

But Jonathan Quick got the starting nod for the third straight game and the second in a row following the All-Star break Wednesday night against the Lightning, a testament to the 38-year-old’s stellar play as of late compared to the Rangers’ No. 1 netminder of the last four seasons.

“It was a tentative plan to have it that way,” Laviolette said before Quick posted 18 saves in the Rangers’ 3-1 win over Tampa Bay. “I do think he’s earned it. Quickie, his last three games, his numbers are through the roof. He had a .950 save percentage at one point, six goals against, but Shesty is our guy. This was a chance for us to work with him. He’s with [goaltending coach Benoit Allaire], get more video, more reps. He can focus on his game and just getting really dialed in for a stretch run and a stretch push.
Igor Shesterkin is still the Rangers starter, though his struggles have opened the door to a potential controversy.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“We’re in a fortunate situation where we’ve got two good goaltenders. Coming off the All-Star break, it was a plan for Shesty just to get some work and some practice time and prepare himself for the final stretch run.”

The key word in that quote is “tentative.”

Shesterkin claimed he knew before the eight-day break in game action that he wouldn’t play in the first two games back, but Laviolette’s use of the word “tentative” indicates that Quick’s game-stealing 32-save performance against the Avalanche on Monday may have rightfully won him the net once again.

The Rangers likely know they have to be careful as to not incite a goaltending controversy in the middle of a season that had slightly veered off the tracks over the last nine weeks, partially due to Shesterkin’s average play.

It is, indeed, imperative that they move strategically in order to not feed into such a narrative unless they are going to go all in on it.

Shesterkin’s mentality and head space should be of the utmost importance if the Rangers intend to continue deploying him as their No. 1 goalie.

“I trust them. They trust me … so,” Shesterkin said after an optional morning skate at the Garden. “Just process.”
Jonathan Quick has provided stellar play for the Rangers, enough for some to call for him to take over as starter.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Laviolette wouldn’t say who would start in Chicago on Friday, but noted that he wouldn’t look that far ahead regardless of the fact that Shesterkin has not played in a real game since he let in four goals against the Golden Knights on Jan. 26.

Unless Shesterkin were to get hurt between now and Friday, there is no question the 28-year-old will be in net against the Blackhawks.

It’s a fine line between motivational decisions and detrimental decisions, and the Rangers need to foster Shesterkin’s confidence instead of casting doubt.

Shesterkin agreed that he’s using this time to reset after posting a career-high 2.86 goals-against average and a career-low .899 save percentage through his first 32 games of the season.