Igor Shesterkin fired a puck into the empty net with 2:34 remaining, officially becoming the 18th goaltender to score in NHL history and the very first to achieve the feat for the New York Rangers. The moment occurred during the Rangers' home opener at Madison Square Garden, capping off a dominant 5-1 performance where the goaltender also contributed 24 saves. Despite attempting similar shots throughout his seven-season career, Shesterkin admitted he was initially unsure if the puck had landed in the net because he was screened by players on the blue line.
For a team coming off a difficult start to the previous season, the win represents a significant shift in momentum. The Rangers opened their current campaign with a 1-1-0 record, showcasing both offensive depth and a perfect 7-for-7 performance on the penalty kill. According to center Mika Zibanejad, the team had specifically discussed the importance of a strong start at home, and seeing their goaltender finally net a goal after several close calls in past games added a memorable highlight to the victory.
The game served as a breakthrough for the Rangers' roster, which saw newcomer Pavel Dorofeyev record his first two points with the team. Other goal contributors included Mika Zibanejad and Eeli Tolvanen. While this stands as the 21st time a goaltender has scored in NHL history—including postseason play—it remains a landmark moment for the franchise. Shesterkin noted that despite his hesitation to celebrate immediately, he intends to keep trying to score in the future.
Following the win against Tampa Bay, the Rangers continue their early-season schedule as they look to build on this performance. Fans at Madison Square Garden greeted the milestone with loud chants of the goaltender's name as he moved to lead the team in their post-game celebrations.