Shesterkin Helped Off Ice After Awkward Fall in Rangers Loss — SkimNews
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- Igor Shesterkin fell awkwardly into his own net midway through the second period after catching his skate on the post while scrambling back to his crease during the Rangers' 3-1 road loss to the Washington Capitals on Friday night.
- Shesterkin lay on the ice holding his right knee for several minutes and was helped off by teammates without putting weight on his right leg; Rangers coach Mike Sullivan had no postgame update on his condition.
- Backup goaltender Dylan Garand replaced Shesterkin, allowed the go-ahead goal late in the second period, and finished with 11 saves on 12 shots in his NHL appearance.
- Shesterkin had stopped 13 of 14 shots and exited with the score tied 1-1; he entered Friday with a 3-1 record this season after scoring an empty-net goal in the Rangers' 5-1 home-opening win over Tampa Bay.
- Sullivan called the situation "concerning," calling Shesterkin "one of the best goalies in the world, if not the best"; captain J.T. Miller said "to see him leave the game is a shock to all of us" but vowed the team won't "let that take the wind out of our sails."
- Shesterkin, the 2022 Vezina Trophy winner, missed a month of last season with a lower-body injury while the Rangers fell short of the playoffs.
Why it matters: Shesterkin is the Rangers' franchise goaltender and reigning 2022 Vezina Trophy winner, and the team has no update on whether he can return in the short term — a repeat of last season, when his month-long lower-body absence contributed to New York missing the playoffs.
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