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Igor Shesterkin’s injury and the all the possible ramifications hang over Rangers after loss to Capitals

The New York Rangers’ season took a sharp turn Friday night after star goaltender Igor Shesterkin suffered a concerning leg injury during a 3–1 loss to the Washington Capitals. The incident occurred in the second period when Shesterkin left his crease to challenge Pierre-Luc Dubois on a power play, then awkwardly twisted his right leg while scrambling back to the net.

He immediately collapsed in pain, unable to put weight on the leg, and was helped off the ice with visible discomfort. With Shesterkin sidelined—potentially for an extended period—the Rangers lose not just their top goalie but the engine of their early-season momentum, as he had posted a .926 save percentage in three of their first four games, including a historic goalie goal and an assist this season.

The injury compounds their goaltending struggles, as backup Joonas Korpisalo remains on injured reserve with no return date in sight, leaving the team without a clear Plan B in net. Head coach Mike Sullivan called Shesterkin ‘amongst the best goalies in the world,’ underscoring the blow to a franchise already navigating a rocky start to the campaign.

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