James Reimer's New York Rangers debut turned ugly fast, leaving head coach Mike Sullivan with another major problem in goal.
The veteran netminder was supposed to bring stability to a struggling crease. Instead, his first appearance at Madison Square Garden ended after just one period, with the Rangers forced into another goaltending change.
Reimer surrendered goals on the first two shots he faced Monday night. Things hardly improved from there, as New York watched its newest goaltender struggle to settle into the game.
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By the end of the opening period, Reimer had allowed three goals on nine shots, finishing with a .667 save percentage. Sullivan had seen enough and turned to Dylan Garand for the second period.
Dylan Garand couldn't stop James Reimier's mess
The decision was particularly frustrating considering why New York brought Reimer aboard. The Rangers needed an experienced option capable of giving their young goaltender some breathing room.
Garand had already started seven consecutive games before Monday's contest. Reimer was expected to ease that workload, but his difficult opening period forced the rookie right back into action.
The timing couldn't be much worse for New York. Igor Shesterkin is sidelined for the season, while Joonas Korpisalo remains unavailable, leaving the Rangers dangerously thin between the pipes.
Reimer had actually given the organization reason for optimism before his promotion. He recorded a 35-save shutout with the Hartford Wolf Pack, showing the form that earned him another NHL opportunity.
That performance helped lead to a one-year contract. But the transition from the American Hockey League to Madison Square Garden proved far more difficult than expected.
At 38, Reimer has plenty of experience navigating difficult stretches. His NHL résumé includes 232 victories and 32 shutouts, numbers that explain why the Rangers valued his veteran presence.
Still, experience means little if New York cannot get dependable saves when it matters. The Rangers now face another uncomfortable decision about how to manage their goaltending rotation.
Sullivan must balance Garand's workload against the possibility of giving Reimer another opportunity. Neither option comes without risk while the club's regular goaltenders remain unavailable.
One bad period doesn't define Reimer's career. But his debut has already created an immediate concern for a Rangers team that desperately needed answers, not another question mark in the crease.
Should Mike Sullivan give James Reimer another start after his disastrous Rangers debut?
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