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Igor Shesterkin becomes first Rangers goalie to score in 5-1 win over Lightning in home opener

PUBLISHED Oct 2, 2026, 3:52 AM ET

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Igor Shesterkin becomes first Rangers goalie to score in 5-1 win over Lightning in home opener

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 30

Left 7%

Center 90%

Right 3%

Sources: 30

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin became the eighteenth goaltender in NHL history and the first in franchise history to score a goal, lofting the puck the length of the ice into an empty net to cap a five-to-one victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in their home opener at Madison Square Garden. Shesterkin made twenty-nine saves on thirty shots and received enthusiastic cheers from the home crowd as teammates mobbed him following the historic empty-net tally. The only goal Shesterkin conceded during the contest came off the stick of Lightning star Nikita Kucherov. Head coach Mike Sullivan praised Shesterkin's elite puck-handling abilities and leadership, marking an unforgettable start to the Rangers' season.

By Neha R. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On May 10, 2022, Igor Shesterkin captured the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender.
On June 7, 2024, Shesterkin and the Rangers advanced deep into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
On September 15, 2025, Shesterkin prepared for his seventh full NHL season with the New York franchise.
On October 1, 2026, New York Rangers hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning for their season home opener.
On October 1, 2026, Igor Shesterkin recorded twenty-nine saves through the opening two periods.
On October 1, 2026, Tampa Bay pulled goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy late in the third period for an extra attacker.
On October 1, 2026, Shesterkin gained control near his crease and launched the puck down the ice.
On October 1, 2026, the puck settled into the empty net, making Shesterkin the eighteenth NHL goalie to score.
On October 1, 2026, teammates celebrated the historic first goalie goal in Rangers franchise history.
On October 2, 2026, sports analysts and fans across the hockey world praised the remarkable milestone.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: New York hockey fans and sports media celebrate Igor Shesterkin's historic goal and the Rangers' dominant home opener victory.
Possible long-term US impact: Elevates Shesterkin's legacy as an elite puck-handling goaltender and adds a unique milestone to NHL history books.
Most affected groups: New York Rangers players and coaching staff, Tampa Bay Lightning, and NHL hockey fans worldwide.
Reader Prioritization: Prioritize official NHL match summaries, player postgame interviews, and verified game box scores.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 30
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 2
Neutral:: 27
Distribution:: Left 7%, Center 90%, Right 3%

Explain Framing

Left: Focuses on community celebration, teamwork, and the emotional resonance of a rare hockey milestone. Center: Emphasizes factual play-by-play statistics, game outcomes, and historical context within NHL records. Right: Highlights individual brilliance, competitive drive, and the energetic start to the Rangers' season.