Rangers lose star goaltender Igor Shesterkin for season with lower-body injury; what's next for New York?

Shesterkin was big reason why the Rangers were off to a hot start New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin will miss the remainder of the season with a lower-body injury, the team announced on Saturday. Shesterkin suffered an apparent leg injury in the Rangers' loss to the Washington Capitals on Friday night as his right leg slid awkwardly into the post while scrambling to get back in position. Shesterkin fell to the ice immediately, and he needed assistance to get down the tunnel. Prior to that loss, the Rangers were off to a terrific 4-1-0 start, and Shesterkin was a driving force behind that success. In just five appearances, Shesterkin posted 3.90 goals saved above average with a .900 high-danger save percentage, according to Natural Stat Trick.

The 2022 Vezina Trophy winner, Shesterkin has put up sparkling numbers since he entered the NHL in 2019-20. In 330 games, Shesterkin boasts a .917 save percentage, a 2.51 GAA and 22 shutouts. Over the last three full seasons from 2023-26, Shesterkin ranked third in goals saved above average with 45.4. Only Connor Hellebuyck and Andrei Vasilevskiy were better in that category. Shesterkin was a big reason why the Rangers felt they could bounce back from a disappointing 2025-26 season, and losing the star goaltender puts a huge dent in the team's playoff