The New York Rangers’ season has taken another hit with the announcement that their star goalie, Igor Shesterkin, will miss 1-2 weeks with an upper-body injury.
This setback happened during the team’s 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on February 7 at Madison Square Garden.
Late in the second period, Shesterkin was involved in a scramble near the net. And while he stayed in the game, his discomfort was noticeable as he flexed his wrist.
Despite his efforts—stopping 23 of 26 shots—the team couldn’t pull off a win, and his injury is now another challenge they must face.
On the bright side, the timing of the injury could have been much worse.
With the NHL taking a break for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament from February 12 to 20, Shesterkin is unlikely to miss too many games.
Rangers coach Peter Laviolette acknowledged this, saying, “You don’t want to see any of our players go down with injuries, but where there is a little bit of time coming up here, that’s useful. There’s no games being played, so that’s a useful thing.”
- Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers’ starting goalie, is sidelined for 1-2 weeks with an upper-body injury. The break for the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off reduces the number of games he will miss.
- Shesterkin’s injury highlights both his importance and the struggles of the Rangers’ defense, which allows 30 shots per game, placing them among the NHL’s worst in this category.
- The injury raises concerns about Shesterkin’s durability and performance despite his status as one of the league’s highest-paid goalies, earning $11.5 million AAV.
The Rangers’ Defense Isn’t Helping
While Shesterkin’s absence is a big problem for the Rangers, it points to an even bigger issue that has been plaguing the team all season: their defense.
To put it bluntly, the Rangers’ defensive play has been sloppy and inconsistent.
They allow an average of 30 shots per goal per game, the fourth-worst in the league.
To understand how significant that is, compare it to a team like the Florida Panthers, who only allow 27 shots per game.
The extra pressure on a goalie adds up quickly.
This defensive struggle means Shesterkin has been forced to work harder than he should in nearly every game.
And while his stats this season might not look elite—a 2.87 goals-against average, a .906 save percentage, and three shutouts—they don’t fully reflect the challenges he’s faced.
He’s been left out to dry far too often, with breakdowns in coverage and a lack of support from the skaters in front of him.
Over his last ten games, Shesterkin has a 5-4-1 record, a 2.57 goals-against average, and an .897 save percentage.
These numbers might not jump off the page, but considering the defensive lapses in front of him, they show just how much he’s been doing to keep his team competitive.
Critics Question Shesterkin’s High Salary
Every mistake or bad stretch becomes a talking point when a goalie is paid as much as Igor Shesterkin.
At $11.5 million AAV, Shesterkin is the highest-paid goalie in the league, even surpassing the legendary Carey Price’s $10.5 million cap hit.
With that kind of money comes enormous pressure to perform at an elite level every night.
Unfortunately, Shesterkin’s numbers haven’t been what people expect from a goalie with his paycheck this season.
Between January 25 and February 7, he posted a .835 save percentage, the second-worst in the NHL among goalies who played at least three games during that stretch.
His 3.84 goals-against average during that time wasn’t much better, ranking fifth-worst in the league.
However, it’s far too simplistic to blame Shesterkin alone for these struggles.
Many goals he has allowed come from defensive lapses, deflections, and tough screens that no goalie could reasonably be expected to stop.
Critics often ignore the lack of defensive support when pointing fingers at Shesterkin, which feels unfair and shortsighted.
Jonathan Quick Steps In, but Questions Remain
With Shesterkin sidelined, veteran goalie Jonathan Quick stepped up in the Rangers’ 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 10.
Quick made 22 saves, proving he can still deliver in key moments.
However, relying on a 37-year-old as the team’s primary goalie isn’t a long-term solution.
To fill the gap, the Rangers also called up Dylan Garand from their minor-league affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, to back up Quick.
While Garand has some NHL experience, he’s still untested at this level and was quickly sent back to Hartford after Saturday’s game.
Although Quick’s performance is reassuring for now, the Rangers know they can’t rely on him for too long.
If Shesterkin’s recovery takes longer than expected, the team could be in a difficult spot, especially with important games on the horizon.
The NHL Break Brings Hope and a Chance to Reset
Fortunately for the Rangers, Shesterkin’s injury comes at a time when the NHL is on pause for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
This break gives him an opportunity to recover without missing too many games and also allows the team to regroup.
Without Team Russia participating in the tournament, Shesterkin can focus entirely on his recovery and prepare for the second half of the season.
The Rangers’ next games are on February 22 and 23, when they face the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins in back-to-back matchups.
If Shesterkin’s recovery stays on track, he could return in time for those critical games.
Still, even with Shesterkin back, the team must address the deeper issues holding them back all season.
The Rangers’ Defensive Issues Threaten Their Season
It’s clear that the Rangers’ problems go far beyond Shesterkin’s injury.
This team was once dominant enough to win the President’s Trophy, but now they look like a shell of their former selves.
Their defense has been inconsistent, their offense hasn’t been reliable, and their overall team play has fallen short of expectations.
Even when Shesterkin is healthy, the lack of defensive support has been glaring.
The team has failed to protect him, allowing too many shots, rebounds, and easy scoring chances.
It’s no wonder his numbers have taken a hit this season.
If the Rangers want to turn their season around, they can’t keep relying solely on Shesterkin to bail them out.
This break gives them a chance to fix their mistakes, but whether they actually take advantage of the opportunity remains to be seen.
Can the Rangers Save Their Season?
As the second half of the season approaches, the Rangers are running out of time to prove they can contend.
Igor Shesterkin’s health will be crucial, but so will the team’s ability to address their defensive problems.
Without real changes, the Rangers risk wasting another season full of high expectations.
Shesterkin might return soon, but if the team continues to leave him exposed, even an elite goalie won’t be enough to save them.
The clock is ticking, and the pressure is on.
If the Rangers want to make a deep playoff run, they’ll need to figure things out quickly—or face another disappointing finish.
