Ex-Rangers Alexandar Georgiev, Dryden Hunt back at MSG with Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev protects the net against the New York Rangers in the first period of an NHL hockey game at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Former Rangers Alexandar Georgiev and Dryden Hunt returned to Madison Square Garden Tuesday night for the first time since both joined the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche as the Avalanche opened their three-game, weeklong tour of the New York area. They play the Devils Friday at Prudential Arena in Newark, and then face the Islanders Saturday at UBS Arena.
Georgiev, who served as Igor Shesterkin’s backup last season, started in goal for the Avalanche. Hunt, who was claimed by Colorado off waivers from the Rangers last week, played his third game for the Avs, on the fourth line.
“They're both good guys,’’ Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said of Georgiev and Hunt. “’Georgie’ had a good year with us last year. He competed hard, and it was really good to know him. And you know, it's a good start for him. I think he's the number one goalie over there -- I'm not trying to be their coach, but I think that's where they put him right now. And he's played really well.’’
Georgiev entered the game with a 3-0-1 record, a 2.76 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage.
The 26-year-old Russian spent five years with the Rangers after making the team off a tryout in 2017. He backed up Henrik Lundqvist in 2018-19, was part of a three-goalie rotation with Lundqvist and Shesterkin the following season, before backing up Shesterkin each of the last two seasons. The Rangers traded him to Colorado at the draft, for third- and fifth-round picks in 2022, and a third-rounder in 2023.
“He did well for us,’’ Gallant said of Georgiev. “We had a great year with him last year and you know, that's what happens when people do well – they move on sometimes. Best of luck to him after tonight. And the same with Huntsy.’’
Blue shorts
In addition to inserting forward Jimmy Vesey to replace the injured Filip Chytil, Gallant made one other lineup change, inserting D Libor Hajek in place of Zac Jones. Jones has struggled at times on the third pair, recording no points and a minus-3 rating.
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
More Rangers
