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New York Rangers are shocked by Jeff Zatkoff

By Nick Ziegler

Apr 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Jeff Zatkoff (37) makes a save against New York Rangers right wing Jesper Fast (19) as Rangers center Eric Staal (12) up-ends Zatkoff during the first period in game one of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Jeff Zatkoff (37) makes a save against New York Rangers right wing Jesper Fast (19) as Rangers center Eric Staal (12) up-ends Zatkoff during the first period in game one of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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It appeared that the New York Rangers would be catching a break with Jeff Zatkoff in the net for Game 1, but instead they find themselves trailing in the series.

The Penguins were down two goalies heading into Game 1 against the Rangers, but even without Marc-Andre Fleury, they were able to set the tone for the series against the Rangers with a commanding 5-2 win at home. Easily the hero of the game for the Penguins was their third-string goalie Jeff Zatkoff.

This season, Zatkoff has totaled a 4-7-1 record, 2.79 GAA, and a .917 save percentage, as the Rangers appeared to have a great opportunity to steal a game on the road. The Rangers did what they were supposed to early against Zatkoff, as they got a ton of shots on him early, but Zatkoff turned them all away. Zatkoff’s teammates were thrilled to win the first game of the series, and they were also thrilled for their goalie

“We’re thrilled for him,” Penguins center Nick Bonino said to Scott Burnside of ESPN.com. “I think of all the guys you want to see do well in this room, he’s at the top of the list.”

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“He’s been a professional throughout this whole thing. He hasn’t complained. He’s been a great teammate and a great pro. We all know how great of a guy he is; I think it’s good that the hockey world is seeing how great of a goalie he is because he came in and won that game for us. We could have been down two or three goals in the first 10 minutes. He shut the door and got us a chance to win.”

The 35 saves for Zatkoff earned him a well-deserved chant late in the third period from the Penguins’ fans, as they were ecstatic to win Game 1.

“Definitely sent chills through me a little bit,” he to Scott Burnside of ESPN.com. “That’s exciting. That’s why you play the game. It’s fun getting the job done at home in front of your fans. It’s a special moment.”

Next: Who are five players to watch in the Rangers first-round series?

With an extra day off before their next game on Saturday against the Rangers, Fleury will likely be back in action as he was close to playing in Game 1 for the Penguins. If he is out again, the Penguins will have a lot of faith in Zatkoff, who is already a hero for them this series.

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