Gallant became just the second Rangers coach to reach the 50-win mark in his first season behind the bench. They also reached the plateau in 1991-92, 1993-12. The Rangers reached the 50-win mark for the first time since 2014-15, when they won a franchise-record 53 games. The Rangers haven’t allowed a goal since an empty-net score with six seconds left in the third period of a 4-2 home loss to Carolina last Tuesday. ”Our goaltender has been been really good, really strong. “He’s been outstanding,’' Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said. He also improved to 21-3-2 this season when making 30 or more saves in a game. The 26-year-old Russian netminder is 36-11-4 this season and become the first Rangers goalie since Henrik Lundqvist in 2011-12 to with six or more shutouts in a season. He also denied Nikolaj Ehlers with just over five minutes left in the third to preserve the shutout. Shesterkin’s best save was a point-blank right-arm stop on Jets captain Blake Wheeler at 17:23 of the middle period. “I love playing and I love winning,’' Shesterkin said through an interpreter. I know the moment won’t overwhelm him.It was the first time since the 1972-73 season that the Rangers recorded three straight shutouts. “He’s done it before and knows what it feels like. “I would much rather have a guy like Cole Hamels out there, one of the best pitchers in the game,” said Banister. I think that’s something I have learned in the past seasons.” You want to know how and if you can control it to the best of your abilities. “The games matter and you get a little more of an adrenaline rush. “Once you do get out on that field, you’ve got three decks and you’ve got a lot of people,” said Hamels. It will be the first time these two square off, and both have experience as Opening Day starters. The Rangers go with Cole Hamels while the Mariners counter with Felix Hernandez. Opening Day always has the team’s ace taking the mound to try to start the season on a winning note, and today is no different as two of the game’s best match up in Arlington. “After that it’s a little bit of a grind, but it’s as close as you’re going to get to that feeling.” “That’s a close as you’re going to get to a playoff atmosphere,” adds 1B/DH Prince Fielder. It’s never dull and you never get used to it.” “Just the tradition that comes along with it and the excitement. “No other sport has the pageantry of Opening Day baseball,” said manager Jeff Banister. And there’s nothing quite like Opening Day at the ballpark. The Rangers open the 2016 season this afternoon in front of the home crowd at Globe Life Park against the Mariners.
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