Raanta shuts out Sharks in Rangers debut
Antti Raanta's regular-season debut with the New York Rangers couldn't have gone much better after the backup goalie stopped all 22 shots he faced in a 4-0 win over the San Jose Sharks on Monday night.
Who has two thumbs and is psyched about his first win as a #NYR?! ?? pic.twitter.com/EOd944udPr
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 20, 2015
Raanta became the fourth goaltender in Rangers' history to record a shutout in his first start, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
He wasn't tested as much as his counterpart, Sharks netminder Martin Jones, who allowed four goals on 28 shots and suffered his first loss with San Jose.
Rangers forward Viktor Stalberg put the game out of reach with his first goal of the season late in the third period, while Jesper Fast scored on a breakaway to give New York a three-goal lead earlier in the third.
Mats Zuccarello picked up his fourth goal in seven games with a second period power-play goal, moving into a 13-way tie for second on the NHL's goal-scoring list.
New York defenseman Marc Staal opened the scoring in the first period. Staal and Fast each finished with a goal and an assist.
The Sharks have now lost two games in a row after winning four straight to start the season, while the Rangers snapped a three-game losing streak.