There must have been so many days when the NHL felt so far away. There must have been so many nights when Dylan Garand felt like his time would never come.
But just one month after the 24-year-old was sent down to begin his fifth straight season with the Hartford Wolf Pack, Garand’s lifelong dream has been granted — and twisted by necessity.
The rookie has played in each of the Rangers’ nine games since Igor Shesterkin suffered a season-ending injury, including Monday’s 6-3 loss to the Kings, when Garand played more than 38 minutes in relief of the struggling and debuting James Reimer.
“It’s been challenging,” Garand said following Tuesday’s practice. “There’s so many games. You play a game and almost the next day you gotta get ready for another game, so it’s almost a never-ending thing. That’s something that I’m learning and going through now. I’m just trying to handle it the best that I can.
“I think I played nine games in 18 days, so that’s quite a bit. It’s definitely the first time I’ve ever gone through it. I’m definitely trying to embrace that challenge and work my hardest every day. … It’s gonna be good for me in my career moving forward.”
Garand, who entered the season with just three career NHL appearances, initially exceeded expectations when he stepped in for Shesterkin, going 4-1-1 in his first six starts while boasting a .929 save percentage and 1.85 goals against average.
But the former fourth-round pick has allowed five goals in each of his past two starts — and two more goals Monday — as the Rangers (7-6-1) have dropped five of their past six games.
Garand entered Tuesday ranked 15th in the league in goals against average (2.69) and 21st in save percentage (.899).
“It’s a little frustrating [because] my work ethic and my compete-[level] is there,” Garand said. “I’m really trying hard. I’m just making a couple mental errors and mental mistakes by not executing at the level I know I’m capable of … you look at the last three weeks, I’ve played some really good hockey.
“I think the last couple games, I don’t really love my execution. I think I could’ve been a little better, but it’s part of it. I’m trying to be ready for every opportunity in every game that’s coming.”
Head coach Mike Sullivan acknowledges how much the team has asked of a goalie with such limited experience, noting that Garand will benefit from the team’s current five-day break more than any other player.
Soon, Garand’s workload may decrease significantly, with Joonas Korpisalo expected to return from injury in the next week or two.
Soon enough, Garand may be wondering when his next opportunity will come.
The next start can’t come soon enough.
“Playing in the NHL you gotta zoom out a little bit and never take it for granted and enjoy it, and I do,” Garand said. “I enjoy playing and going to battle with the guys in this room every night. The last week or so we haven’t been playing our best and that’s disappointing, but I have full trust in this group and in myself.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
