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.”
