Igor Shesterkin made NHL history on Thursday night, becoming the 18th goaltender ever to score a goal for the New York Rangers. With Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy pulled, a dump‑in from John Carlson bounced to Shesterkin, who launched the puck into the empty net at 17:26 of the third period, sealing a 5‑1 home‑opener win. Teammates mobbed him as fans chanted “Igor, Igor!” and winger Pavel Dorofeyev praised his scoring ability, noting the Rangers lead in goals. Shesterkin, who had chased the milestone since his junior days with Spartak Moscow, said he will keep trying to score. Coach Mike Sullivan called the moment “great” and highlighted Shesterkin’s impact beyond the crease.
Shesterkin’s goal marks the first in Rangers goaltender history and the 18th in NHL record, joining an elite group of netminders who have found the back of the net. The Rangers’ victory set the tone for their season, with Shesterkin’s teammates energized by his breakthrough.
The historic goal not only adds to Shesterkin’s résumé but also underscores the unpredictable nature of hockey, where even goaltenders can become game‑changers when given the chance.
Source: ESPN NHL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing