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- calendar_today October 10, 2026
Igor Shesterkin Suffers Season-Ending Knee Injury
The New York Rangers announced that goaltender Igor Shesterkin is out for the season following a right knee injury sustained Friday night during a game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Incident on the Ice
Shesterkin was injured midway through the second period after challenging a shooter and falling as he scrambled back to the net. The 30-year-old Russian, and 2022 Vezina Trophy winner, jammed his right skate into the post while sliding back into the crease and collapsed into the net, visibly in pain. He was unable to put weight on his right leg and had to be helped off the ice by teammates Marcus Pettersson and Sean Durzi.
Teammates React to Shesterkin's Injury
Rangers captain J.T. Miller expressed the team's disappointment following the 3-1 loss to the Capitals. "It's awful, you know? He's a pillar of this team. It stinks," Miller said. Head coach Mike Sullivan added, "He's an elite goaltender and you never want to see anyone get hurt. Obviously, he's an important player for us." The injury also ended the Rangers' four-game winning streak.
Impact on the Rangers' Season
Shesterkin missed a month of play last season with a lower-body injury, contributing to the Rangers finishing last in the Eastern Conference. Before the current injury, he was off to a strong start with a 3-1 record and a 1.76 goals-against average. Just last week, Shesterkin made history as the first Rangers goalie to score a goal, lofting the puck the length of the ice into an empty net during New York's home opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Backup Dylan Garand Steps In
After stopping 13 of 14 shots, Shesterkin left the game with the score tied 1-1. He was replaced by 24-year-old backup Dylan Garand, who allowed the go-ahead goal late in the second period but finished with 11 saves on 12 shots. The appearance marked Garand's fifth in the NHL and his second of the season, after being recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League. Garand previously made 22 saves in a 2-0 shutout against Detroit.
Rangers' Goaltending Depth Tested
The Rangers also have veteran goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, acquired from the Boston Bruins over the summer, on their roster. However, the 32-year-old Finn is currently on injured reserve and is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. This leaves Garand as the team's primary goaltending option as the Rangers adjust to the loss of their starting goalie for the remainder of the NHL season.
Source: cbc.ca.
