Rangers' Igor Shesterkin makes 30 saves against Flames for his first shutout of season

It’s been a difficult season for Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin. The two-time NHL All-Star and 2022 Vezina Trophy winner has been searching, unable to find the consistent brilliance in his game that is expected of him at all times.

But back in net on Monday night at Madison Square Garden against a Calgary Flames team that carried a four-game winning streak into the game, Shesterkin turned in a vintage performance, making 30 saves to earn his first shutout of the season in a 2-0 win that extended the Rangers’ winning streak to five.

Will Cuylle scored in the second period and Jimmy Vesey added an empty-netter with 18.7 seconds left for the Rangers (34-16-3, 71 points), who increased their lead in the Metropolitan Division to six points over second-place Carolina.

“We weren’t happy with the way we played in Chicago [a 4-3 overtime win on Friday] and this is a really good bounce-back effort — a hot team and a lot of firepower up front, so it’s a good effort for us,’’ Vesey said.

“Shesty was amazing tonight and I think [it was a] gutsy effort by our team and something to build on, for sure.’’

Shesterkin (21-12-1), who made his second straight start after backup Jonathan Quick started the previous three games, used the time to work with goalie coach Benoit Allaire on some techniques and fundamentals. He also used the time to clear his head and reset, he said.

“During the break, I tried to not think about hockey, just spend time with my family,’’ Shesterkin said. “So right now, I just focus on the puck and nothing else.’’

Shesterkin said the win, in which he outdueled Calgary goaltender Jacob Markstrom (29 saves), was big for his confidence.

“Yeah, of course,’’ he said. “It was an important night for me, an important shutout. And I appreciate what you guys did today. A lot of huge blocked shots, smart plays.’’

Shesterkin, who saw only six shots in the first period, said he felt great all night “from the opening faceoff until the end.’’

He downplayed the importance of the shutout, saying he is more concerned with getting wins.

Calgary (25-23-5) finished up its four-game trip to the Northeast at 3-1, having won the first three games against Boston, New Jersey and the Islanders.

Coming off a performance they weren’t proud of, the Rangers were a much more forceful team in the first period, outshooting the Flames 11-6 and having the territorial advantage.

According to the analytics website Natural Stat Trick, the Rangers had nine high-danger scoring chances to Calgary’s one in the opening 20 minutes.

But Markstrom was up to the task, making several brilliant saves, including spectacular glove saves on backdoor attempts by Blake Wheeler with just under two minutes left in the period and Vincent Trocheck with a little less than six minutes left.

The Rangers finally took the lead on a goal by Cuylle, who followed up a shot by Kaapo Kakko and took three whacks at the rebound, finally jamming it in for his ninth goal at 12:31.

“I think [Markstrom] was playing pretty well all game,’’ Cuylle said. “So for me personally, I was just trying to get to the net and trying to simplify. And I knew it was probably going to be like a rebound goal, or something dirty in the crease, so I was just trying to get to the net.’’

By Colin Stephenson

colin.stephenson@newsday.comColinSNewsday

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.