Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin leaves game with lower-body injury
The New York Rangers suffered a big blow to their lineup on Monday night, as goaltender Igor Shesterkin left their game against the Seattle Kraken with a lower-body injury.
UPDATE: Igor Shesterkin (lower body) will not return tonight.
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) January 6, 2026The injury occurred midway through the first period of Monday’s game when J.J. Peterka drove the net and made contact with Shesterkin. While Peterka was mostly able to stop himself and only made minimal contact with Shesterkin, the way the Rangers netminder fell likely caused the injury, particularly since he fell on his right leg, which was also the leg that Peterka made contact with.
Shesterkin needed assistance to the dressing room, and he did not return to the game, with the Rangers confirming his absence ahead of the second period. Backup Jonathan Quick replaced Shesterkin in net for the game. Shesterkin left the game having stopped all nine shots that he faced in a 0-0 tie at the time of his departure.
Right now, there’s no confirmation about Shesterkin’s timeline for recovery with the injury. The Rangers don’t play again until Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres, which is also in New York, so if an update isn’t provided after Monday’s game, one will likely be provided at a practice or morning skate prior to Thursday’s game.
Shesterkin has had another excellent season with the Rangers, as entering Monday’s game, he has a 17-12-4 record, a .912 save percentage, one shutout and a 17.81 5v5 goals saved above expected in 33 games, with the latter stat ranking second in the league.
Should Shesterkin miss significant time, Quick will likely take over starting goaltender duties until the Russian’s return. Quick has a 3-6-1 record, a .924 SV%, one shutout and 4.16 5v5 GSAx in 10 games entering Monday night.
Who will backup Quick is less of a certainty, as they haven’t had to recall any of their goaltenders from the Hartford Wolf Pack so far this season. Spencer Martin is their most NHL-experienced netminder with 66 games, and is a strong candidate to be called up, although 2020 fourth-round pick Dylan Garand has gotten the bulk of Hartford’s starts this season.