Rangers Face Tough Challenge Without Shesterkin | New York Rangers News

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It's October 12th.

Okay, big one today for the New York Rangers. They're kicking off the week with a solid 4-0 home record and five wins in their first seven games.

But things got real tough after star goalie Igor Shesterkin went down with a season-ending injury in a loss to the Washington Capitals.

Shesterkin, who's the highest paid goalie in the league, suffered a lower body injury after crashing into the post. The Rangers placed him on long-term injured reserve just hours before a commanding win against the Vancouver Canucks. It's a massive blow for the team, no doubt. Dylan Garand is stepping up as the starter for now, making 19 saves against Vancouver. Coach Mike Sullivan's got confidence in him and he's going to need it. With veteran backup Junas Corpusalo also hurt, it's all on Garand who was unclaimed just two weeks ago. That kind of turnaround is wild. Over the past week, Alexis Lafreniere has been lighting it up too, scoring five goals in three games, including a hat-trick against the Islanders. He's clearly on a roll and could be a key player while the Rangers adjust to life without Shesterkin. Looking ahead, the Rangers have a road trip starting with a tough matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning. They'll need all hands on deck to keep their fast start going. It's going to be an interesting week for them as they navigate these changes. You've been listening to New York Rangers News Today, AI-powered team coverage.