New York Rangers’ goalie Igor Shesterkin suffered a season-ending injury to his right knee during a game in Washington, as confirmed by the team on Saturday. Shesterkin had to be assisted off the ice by teammates without putting weight on his right leg following a fall into his own net in a match against the Capitals.
The injury occurred when Shesterkin aggressively came out of his crease to challenge a shooter in the second period, causing him to stumble and collide with the net. This unfortunate incident led to the 30-year-old Russian goalie jamming his right skate into the post before collapsing into the net in pain.
Rangers’ captain J.T. Miller expressed his disappointment, calling Shesterkin a crucial member of the team. Head coach Mike Sullivan also emphasized Shesterkin’s importance, highlighting his status as an elite goaltender.
Last season, the Vezina Trophy winner missed a month due to a lower-body injury, contributing to the Rangers’ struggles in the Eastern Conference. Shesterkin had a strong start to this season with impressive stats before his injury. He even made history by becoming the first Rangers goalie to score a goal during a recent game against Tampa Bay.
Despite Shesterkin’s absence, the team remains determined to maintain their momentum. Dylan Garand, the 24-year-old backup, stepped in for Shesterkin during the game against the Capitals. Garand, who had a solid performance, was recalled from the American Hockey League and has shown promise as a reliable option in goal for the Rangers.
The Rangers had brought in Joonas Korpisalo as a backup goalie last summer, but he is currently sidelined with a lower-body injury, leaving Garand as the primary option in Shesterkin’s absence.