Concerning update emerges on Igor Shesterkin’s injury

The New York Rangers may have to find a way to survive without star goaltender Igor Shesterkin.

The 30-year-old Russian netminder suffered a lower-body injury during the first period of Monday night’s game between the Rangers and the Utah Mammoth at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y.

Shesterkin had just made a save when his leg made contact with Mammoth forward JJ Peterka. 

The former Vezina Trophy winner was in immediate pain afterward and was later helped off the ice. Jonathan Quick replaced Shesterkin between the pipes and finished the contest.

On Tuesday, Dan Rosen of the NHL’s official website reported that Shesterkin” is being placed on injured reserve and will continue to be evaluated.”

Meanwhile, Emily Kaplan of ESPN reported that Shesterkin has avoided a “worst case scenario” with his injury.

While he appears to have avoided a season-ending injury, his absence will be felt by the Rangers, who lost to the Mammoth via overtime, 3-2.

Shesterkin, who turned away all nine Mammoth shots on goal before leaving the game, has a .913 save percentage and 2.45 goals against average through 34 starts, so far in the 2025-26 NHL regular season.

Quick can be expected to be New York’s chief goalie while Shesterkin recovers from his injury.

The 20-18-6 Rangers are scheduled to host the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday