Igor Shesterkin scores first goalie goal in Rangers history

Igor Shesterkin became the first goaltender in New York Rangers history to score a goal on Thursday night, October 1. With Tampa Bay's net empty, he sent the puck in unassisted at 17:26 of the third period, making the final score Rangers 5, Lightning 1 at Madison Square Garden. The NHL's game recap and official video both identify the play as the franchise's first goalie goal.

The goal was Shesterkin's first in his NHL career. According to the league, he is the 18th goaltender to score and the play is the 21st goalie goal in NHL history. Those are distinct counts: some goaltenders have scored more than once. Shesterkin did not score the game-winning goal; his shot capped a win the Rangers had already built.

The moment is extraordinary because an empty net alone does not make a goalie goal routine. A goaltender must first gain control while the opponent is pressing with an extra attacker, then send the puck accurately the length of the ice. New York now has its first entry in a category that had remained blank throughout the franchise's history.

A rare NHL milestone

Shesterkin also made 24 saves. The Rangers killed all seven Tampa Bay power plays and went 1-for-2 on their own power play, according to the NHL recap. Mika Zibanejad opened the scoring, while Pavel Dorofeyev, Eeli Tolvanen and Gabe Perreault also scored before Shesterkin's empty-netter.

The home-opener win followed New York's 3-0 loss at Boston on Tuesday. Shesterkin's goal will own the highlight, but the penalty kill and the four earlier goals explain why the Rangers had room to enjoy it. It is a franchise first and a final-score flourish, not a substitute for the rest of the performance.