Goalie Controversy Brewing for the Rangers

The New York Rangers begin life without Henrik Lundqvist this season and the team is lucky enough to have two capable goaltenders to carry their load. Both Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev have shown flashes of brilliance so far early on in their NHL careers and each goalie will push the other for the starter's net.

At this point, there's been no clear cut starter announced and the team is shying away from naming the expected, Shesterkin it's number one goalie. Instead, it looks like it's going to be a '1-A & 1-B' approach as their head coach has confidence in both tenders:

In this season, every team in this league is going to have to rely on their two goalies. We're fortunate because we feel that we have two No. 1 goalies. I'm not just saying that. [Georgiev] has had a good career so far. I think he's ready to make the next step. [Shesterkin], in a small sample, certainly proved he can be a really good goalie at this level. We feel we have great goaltending depth and both of these guys are going to be contributors. We're certainly going to lean on both of them during the course of the season.

Head coach David Quinn has confidence in both of his options and rightfully so. Georgiev has been solid so far in his career, posting a 35-31-7 with a 3.00 GAA and .913 save percentage in 77 games (71 starts) over three seasons. Meanwhile Shesterkin went 10-2 his rookie year, but the 25-year-old with a ton of pro experience is anything but a rookie or sophomore.

The Rangers are a wildcard team in the eastern conference as they are loaded with talent and potential. Their young core up front compliments a versatile defense and if the team can lean on both goalies for some stability and consistency from the crease, the team could do some serious damage.

Let's hope things go as planned with their combined approach or else someone's going to have their feelings hurt.

Photo credit:  Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire