New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin is expected to be sidelined one to two weeks due to an upper-body injury, multiple media outlets reported on Saturday.
Shesterkin recorded 23 saves in New York’s 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday.
He appeared to sustain an injury after a collision with Penguins forward Philip Tomasino in front of his net late in the first period, prompting a team trainer to check on him. Shesterkin, however, remained in the game.
The Rangers expect to have Shesterkin back to health by the conclusion of the 4 Nations Face-off break. Dylan Garand was called up from Hartford of the American Hockey League on Saturday morning to back up Jonathan Quick later that night against the host Columbus Blue Jackets.
Signed to an eight-year, $92 million contract in December, Shesterkin won the Vezina Trophy as the top netminder for the 2021-22 season.
Shesterkin finished third in Hart Trophy (MVP) balloting during his stellar 2021-22 season in which he went 36-13-4 and led the NHL with both a 2.07 goals-against average and .935 save percentage.
Shesterkin, 29, has posted an 18-19-2 record with three shutouts, a 2.87 goals-against average and .906 save percentage in 39 games (all starts) this season.
He is 153-78-19 with 18 shutouts, a 2.50 GAA and .919 save percentage in 252 career appearances (247 starts) with the Rangers.
–Field Level Media
