Igor Shesterkin Leaves Ice After Fall in Rangers Loss

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin required assistance leaving the ice after a fall into his own net during a 3-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Friday night in Washington. The 30-year-old Russian goalie held his right knee while receiving medical attention midway through the second period and was unable to put weight on his right leg.

According to ESPN, Shesterkin left his crease to challenge a shooter before falling as he attempted to return to the net. During the movement, his skate caught on the goalpost, causing him to slide into the crease and collapse into the net.

Shesterkin remained on the ice for several minutes as medical personnel attended to him. His teammates then helped him off the playing surface because he could not place weight on his right leg.

The incident raised concerns given Shesterkin's previous injury history. The Russian goaltender, who won the Vezina Trophy in 2022 as the NHL's top goaltender, missed a month of the previous season because of a lower-body injury.

According to ESPN, that earlier absence contributed to the Rangers falling short of the playoffs last season. The latest incident occurred during a game in which New York ultimately lost 3-1 to Washington.