A potentially significant injury occured this evening, as New York Rangers star goaltender Igor Shesterkin left due to a lower body injury, and will not return, as announced by the team.
With around seven minutes remaining in the first of a scoreless game, Utah forward JJ Peterka lightly collided with Shesterkin in his crease in an innocuous play. The light impact sent the goaltender falling backward with his right pad planted, resulting in an awkward position and an apparent knee injury, which has many fearing the worst.
The 30-year-old is in year one of his eight year extension worth $11.5MM per season, solidifying himself among the league’s very best. In a time where scoring rates have climbed, Shesterkin holds elite statistics, with a .912 save percentage this season and a 2.47 goals-against-average to boot.
Thankfully, New York is tremendously deep in net, with ageless wonder Jonathan Quick as backup, who subsequently entered the game tonight along with his .924 save percentage. The Rangers also have Dylan Garand in the AHL, a well regarded prospect patiently awaiting his NHL debut, now in his fourth full season pro. However, Shesterkin is desperately needed if New York will be able to climb the ranks in the grueling Metropolitan Division and vie for a fourth straight playoff appearance.
After their exciting Winter Classic victory in Florida, the Rangers were hoping to turn the corner, but just five days into the New Year, they find themselves facing another massive challenge, if the superstar netminder will miss extended time.