ESPN News ServicesMultiple AuthorsOct 9, 2026, 09:02 PM ETWASHINGTON — New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin had to be helped off the ice after an awkward fall into his own net during his team’s 3-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Friday night.Shesterkin came well out of his crease to challenge a shooter and fell as he scrambled back to the net midway through the second period. The 30-year-old Russian caught his skate on the post as he slid back into the crease and collapsed into the net.Shesterkin lay on the ice for several minutes, holding his right knee, as he received medical attention. He did not put weight on his right leg as he was helped off the ice by teammates. In his postgame media availability, Rangers coach Mike Sullivan had no update on his star goaltender.”It’s concerning, obviously,” Sullivan said.
“He’s an elite goaltender, and you don’t want to ever see anyone get hurt. But, obviously, he’s an important player for us.”The 2022 Vezina Trophy winner missed a month of last season because of a lower-body injury, contributing to the Rangers falling short of the playoffs. But this season, he started well, as he took a 3-1 record into Friday night. In the home opener earlier this month, he even scored an empty-net goal in his team’s 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.”He’s a big part of this team, without a doubt,” Sullivan said.
“I’ve said it on so many different occasions. He’s one of the best goalies in the world, if not the best. He’s that good.”Rangers captain J.T. Miller concurred with his coach.”It’s awful, you know?
He’s a pillar of this team. It stinks,” he said. “Obviously, it’s young. We don’t even know what’s going on.
But to see him leave the game is a shock to all of us. But at the same time, it means we’ve got to step up to a man to try to get the job done.”Shesterkin stopped 13 of 14 shots and left with the score tied at 1-1. He was replaced by 24-year-old backup Dylan Garand, who gave up the go-ahead goal late in the second but finished with 11 saves on 12 shots.”We’re not going to let that take the wind out of our sails,” Miller said, referring to Shesterkin’s injury. “We love the way we’re playing most of the time.”The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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