Igor Shesterkin Becomes First Rangers Goaltender to Score a Goal

Igor Shesterkin scored an empty-net goal at 17:26 of the third period to secure a 5-1 New York Rangers win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Igor Shesterkin scored an empty-net goal at 17:26 of the third period to finalize a 5-1 New York Rangers victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. According to ESPN, Shesterkin is the 18th goaltender in NHL history to score and the first in the 93-year history of the Rangers franchise to achieve the feat. The goal occurred during the team's home opener after Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was pulled for an extra attacker.

The sequence began when defenseman John Carlson dumped the puck into the New York zone. Shesterkin retrieved the puck near his crease and launched a shot down the ice while dropping to one knee. The goal ties Shesterkin for the team lead in scoring alongside winger Pavel Dorofeyev and three other players.

Coach Mike Sullivan noted the historical significance of the moment, which Shesterkin previously accomplished in October 2013 while playing for Spartak Moscow in the Russian junior MHL. Center Mika Zibanejad stated that the goaltender had narrowly missed several previous scoring attempts during his nine-year NHL career. Following the game, Shesterkin indicated he intends to continue seeking scoring opportunities in future contests.