Shesterkin Scores First Goalie Goal in Rangers History

Igor Shesterkin scored into Tampa Bay’s empty net with 2:34 remaining on Thursday, October 1, capping the New York Rangers’ 5-1 home-opening win and becoming the first goaltender in franchise history to score. He was the 18th NHL goaltender credited with a goal, according to game reports. The goal came late in the third period, after Tampa Bay pulled goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy for an extra attacker. Shesterkin sent the puck down the length of the ice toward the unguarded net. Players obstructed his view, and he did not initially know whether the shot had gone in. His teammates’ celebration and cheers from the Madison Square Garden crowd made the result clear. Shesterkin’s goal was the 21st by an NHL goaltender when playoff goals are included. Unlike some goalie goals, which are credited after an opponent puts the puck into its own net, Shesterkin scored by shooting directly into Tampa Bay’s goal. The previous season, New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin was credited with a goal after being the last Islanders player to touch the puck before Nashville scored an own goal. The Rangers’ win was their first of the season and came in their home opener.