But Georgiev allowed four goals in 18 shots over two periods, and Gallant decided to pull him in favor of Igor Shesterkin to start the third period.
Asked why he made the change, Gallant didn’t say much.
"Nothing. Just a coach’s decision,’’ he said.
Georgiev has allowed 20 goals in his five starts (plus one relief appearance) of the season.
Hajek recalled
Defenseman Libor Hajek’s two-week conditioning assignment to AHL Hartford expired and the Rangers recalled the 23-year-old Czech from the minors before Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres at the Garden.
"He hadn’t played,’’ Gallant said of Hajek, who agreed to go to Hartford.