What Happened
The New York Rangers announced Saturday that goaltender Igor Shesterkin will miss the remainder of the season with a right knee injury. Shesterkin was hurt Friday night at Washington when he fell into his own net midway through the second period. He came out of his crease to challenge a shooter, then jammed his right skate into the post while sliding back and collapsed in pain. He was helped off the ice by teammates without putting weight on his right leg.
Key Details
- Shesterkin, 30, is a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, taking the award in 2022.
- He was 3-1 with a 1.76 goals-against average this season.
- The Rangers lost 3-1 to Washington, snapping a four-game winning streak.
- Last week he became the first Rangers goalie to score a goal, against Tampa Bay.
- He missed a month last season with a lower-body injury.
What It Means
Shesterkin's absence removes one of the league's top goaltenders from the Rangers' lineup for the rest of the season, a significant blow for a team that finished last in the Eastern Conference last season while he missed a month. His strong start, with a 3-1 record and 1.76 goals-against average, made him a central part of New York's early success.
What's Next
The Rangers must fill the starting role internally or look outside the organization for help in net, with Shesterkin unavailable for the remainder of the season.