Rangers waste Pavelec's 2nd consecutive impressive start

The New York Rangers fell to the Dallas Stars on Monday, but no fault can be laid at the pads of goaltender Ondrej Pavelec.

In a 2-1 shootout decision, Pavelec made a season-high 44 saves in regulation and overtime and was selected as the game’s first star. This performance came less than a week after he made 41 stops in a win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

As noted by the team, Pavelec is the first Rangers goaltender to make 40 or more saves in two consecutive appearances since Dan Blackburn on Nov. 23, 2001 at Washington and Dec. 1, 2001 at Montreal. It's also been over two years since a Blueshirts goalie made at least 44 saves, dating back to Henrik Lundqvist's 46-stop effort on Oct. 24, 2015 against Philadelphia.

The longtime Atlanta Thrasher and Winnipeg Jets goaltender signed a one-year, $1.3-million contract to serve as Lundqvist's backup this season, and his game prior to these last two starts left much to be desired.

But he definitely earned the team a point Monday, and deserved to come out with the win.