Mike Sullivan offers grim update on Igor Shesterkin following terrifying lower-body injury
Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Igor Shesterkin's lower-body injury has the New York Rangers and their fans sweating as head coach Mike Sullivan provides a concerning update.
Monday night flipped in a hurry when JJ Peterka drove the crease, and Shesterkin went down in the first period. Only making nine saves, before Jonathan Quick had to replace him after just 7:05 in the first period.
The scary part was the exit, because Shesterkin appeared unable to put weight on his left leg while teammates helped him off. He was later ruled out for the rest of the game with a lower-body injury.
He's actually not putting weight on the left leg and needed help off the ice. He went straight to the locker room, with Jonathan Quick now stepping into the #NYR net.
🚨 #NYR goaltender Igor Shesterkin leaves game with left leg injury vs Utah, helped off the ice by Gavrikov and a trainer. Jonathan Quick enters.
Mike Sullivan provides concerning update on Igor Shesterkin
Following the game, Mike Sullivan said Shesterkin is being evaluated for a lower-body injury and the team will do more tests. It is a short update, but it reads heavy when your starter cannot even finish the period.
Sullivan said Shesterkin is still being evaluated.
"He's an important part of this team. Hopefully, it's not too serious. ... They're gonna do more tests."
"He's an important part of this team. Hopefully, it's not too serious. ... They're gonna do more tests."
Shesterkin entered the night at a href='https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/gamelog/_/id/3151297/igor-shesterkin' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>17-12-4 with a .912 save percentage, and a goal-against average of 2.51.
This is not some random hot hand, either, Shesterkin is 30, a 2014 fourth-round pick, and the 2022 Vezina Trophy winner. When that guy needs «more tests,» the whole season suddenly feels smaller than one game.
Igor Shesterkin injury rattles New York Rangers
If Shesterkin misses time, New York has to tighten the slot and clean up rebounds, especially against rush teams that force lateral pushes. The first pass matters too, because a bad breakout turns into a second shot before anyone is set.
Quick can still hold a net, and his 3-6-1 record comes with a 2.11 GAA and .924 save percentage in 10 games.
The long view is why this update stings, since Shesterkin is in an eight-year, $92 million deal with an $11.5 million cap hit. The Rangers paid for stability in the crease, and Monday showed how fast that security can wobble.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 5 | 203 ANSWERS Mike Sullivan offers grim update on Igor Shesterkin following terrifying lower-body injury How concerned are you about the Igor Shesterkin lower-body injury for the New York Rangers? | ||
| Very concerned | 161 | 79.3 % |
| Not concern | 20 | 9.9 % |
| Wait for update | 22 | 10.8 % |
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