HARTFORD, Conn. − Dylan Garand got here into his third full skilled season with a transparent purpose in thoughts.
Take the success he is had within the AHL playoffs and discover a solution to replicate it constantly within the common season.
“I really feel like studying from the previous playoff expertise, when I’ve been actually good, I’ve simply been centered on successful and competing actually laborious,” Garand defined following Tuesday’s follow at XL Heart. “I am a very aggressive man, so carry that into the common season is what I have been making an attempt to do.”
That simplistic strategy is working in an enormous manner.
The Rangers’ high goalie prospect has registered a mixed .927 save proportion with a 2.21 objectives in opposition to common throughout 17 profession postseason begins, however he had did not publish a regular-season SV% above .898.
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Garand has gone 12-7-4 with a .913 SV% and a pair of.68 GAA to this point this season, however even these numbers do not inform the entire story. He caught hearth in December, when he was named the AHL’s goalie of the month, and stayed sizzling effectively into the brand new 12 months.
Throughout a nine-start stretch from Dec. 4 by Jan. 12, Garand went 6-3 with an eye-popping .953 SV%. He allowed one purpose or fewer in 5 of these appearances whereas posting a pair of shutouts.
“I simply felt like I used to be within the zone,” he stated. “(The sport) is a bit of slower. You’re seeing it a bit of higher, and also you’re simply feeling good on daily basis. I imply, even once you’re not feeling good coming to the rink on daily basis – your physique or your thoughts, if you happen to’re drained – however as quickly as you get on the ice, a swap flicks, and also you’re simply within the zone. It is a actually cool feeling.”
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That earned the 22-year-old Victoria, B.C. native a visit to the AHL all-star sport earlier this month and garnered consideration amongst scouts who more and more consider he’ll carve out an NHL position, whether or not it is as a backup or starter.
He is cooled off in his final three begins, permitting 5 objectives or extra in every whereas going through a excessive quantity of photographs for the slumping Wolf Pack, however the total physique of labor has been spectacular.
“I have been working actually, actually laborious,” Garand stated. “I really feel prefer it’s form of paying off now.”
Work ethic has by no means been in query for the 2020 fourth-round draft choose, who has gained a status for his meticulous pregame routines and cerebral strategy to preparation.
First-year head coach Grant Potulny has seen that translate in how Garand reads performs and anticipates saves.
“He is such a sensible goalie, and I feel that basically helps him,” Potulny stated. “If there is a rush coming, he can determine that, ‘The puck’s over right here, however that man’s a lefty, and that could possibly be a one-timer, so I’ve acquired to know that man’s there.’ The opposite factor that he is executed, for me, is that the pucks which are hitting him, they’re both being smothered or they are going to areas that aren’t harmful. He isn’t permitting plenty of second-chance alternatives, so he is made the sport simpler for himself.”
Potulny additionally raved about his puck-handling abilities, which he believes prevents “5 – 6 photographs (per sport) as a result of you may make a play from behind the web to get the puck as much as the subsequent play.”
That polished all-around sport makes up for Garand being smaller than many goalies in at this time’s sport at 6-foot-1, 176 kilos. It additionally places him on the precipice of an NHL debut.
“I need to play within the NHL greater than something on this planet,” Garand stated. “You get a bit of style, and it simply motivates you to work even more durable. However I am right here proper now, centered on what we have to do right here as a crew and successful some hockey video games.”
He is been recalled just a few instances to serve in a backup position, most not too long ago on Saturday attributable to an damage to Rangers starter Igor Shesterkin. He stated these fast stints can really feel like a blur, however famous he is in fixed communication with New York goalie coach Jeff Malcolm, who watches all of Garand’s begins and ceaselessly texts his suggestions.
He is additionally discovered himself gravitating to esteemed veteran Jonathan Fast every time he will get the prospect, with the most recent member of the NHL’s 400-win membership embracing the mentor position.
“Of all the fellows on the crew, Quickie has been nice,” Garand stated. “He’ll come up and discuss to me and simply chat about something. When you do not actually know guys, you do not need to step on their toes or get of their manner or something. However he is a man that I really feel like I can strategy at any time, and he is there for me. He is a stud of a man, and actually enjoyable to work with and be part of when I’m there.”
The presence of Shesterkin and Fast implies that, barring damage, Garand’s path to the Rangers is blocked in the interim. However with Fast turning 39 final month and enjoying on a one-year contract, a powerful end might persuade administration that Garand is able to assume the backup job subsequent season. It is also attainable that one other crew sees him as greater than a No. 2 and pursues a commerce that might assist the Blueshirts in different areas.
Nevertheless it performs out, there is not any denying that Garand’s inventory is on the rise and his likelihood to showcase his blossoming abilities on the highest stage is approaching.
“Once you’re sitting at dwelling, you form of ponder what it is going be like,” he stated. “It is one factor to play within the NHL, and it is one other factor to win within the NHL. I need to win within the NHL. That is my purpose, and that is what I am right here in Hartford to do, is to develop and get higher and be prepared for that chance when it comes. There’s plenty of issues out of my management. However when that point comes, I really feel like I’m prepared.”
Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Community. Learn extra of his work at lohud.com/sports activities/rangers/ and comply with him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.
