The New York Rangers’ impressive 2021-22 regular-season campaign was built on the play between the pipes of Igor Shesterkin, who earned his first Vezina Trophy nomination as a Vezina Trophy finalist on Tuesday.

He led the NHL in goals-against average (2.07) and save percentage (.935) and helped the team clinch second in the Metropolitan Division – bringing playoff hockey back to Madison Square Garden for the first time in five years.

In the history of the NHL, his save percentage this season was seventh best all time. The league officially began keeping the stat in 1955-56.

Shesterkin (36-13-4, six shutouts) is a favorite to win the award. He would join Henrik Lundqvist (2011-12) and John Vanbiesbrouck (1985-86) as the only Rangers goalies to take home the Vezina. Lundqvist was on the ballot five times in his career, winning once.

Also on the 2021-22 is Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames and Juuse Saros from the Nashville Predators.

Veteran netminder Marc-André Fleury took home the trophy last year for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Rangers fans are hoping that Igor Shesterkin can regain some swagger in the first-round matchup vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins, who chased him from the crease in both games 3 and 4. The Rangers gave up 14 goals in the two games and face elimination Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.