Starting goaltender Igor Shesterkin is back in goal for the Rangers tonight. The goaltender was placed on IR (injured reserve) after suffering an upper-body injury against the Florida Panthers on December 30th.
While Shesterkin was injured, the Rangers relied on the services of veteran goalie Jonathan Quick, and Hartford Wolf Pack goaltender Louis Domingue. Combined, the two goaltenders posted a record of 2-1-1 and a goals against average of 3.50. In terms of points percentage, the Rangers are in their best run of form in months and tonight they'll have the chance to maintain that run against their floundering rivals.
The Devils started their season strong, but have lost four of their last five games. Shesterkin will make his return against a team that has dominated the Rangers thus far this season.
BACK IN ACTION 🗽
— NHL (@NHL) January 9, 2025
Igor Shesterkin will be returning to the @NYRangers' lineup tonight! pic.twitter.com/cGYL1sWwck
When the two teams met at Madison Square Garden back on December 2nd, the Devils came away with a 5-1 win. Shesterkin was in goal and faced 28 shots, saving only 23 and earning himself a measly save percentage of .821, with five goals against.
Since that game, however, the Rangers have seemed to rediscover some of their offensive power. In their last three games the Blueshirts have scored four or more goals, winning only one of them. It's possible that having Shesterkin in goal would have flipped one of those losses into a victory, and that Shesterkin returning to the lineup tonight is timed perfectly.
Shesterkin tends to perform well against the Devils, boasting an all time record of 10-6-1 against New Jersey, with a .914 save percentage and a 2.84 goals against average to boot. An Igor masterclass tonight would go a long way to helping the Rangers secure their third win in five games and contribute positively to their slog back up the standings toward a wild card spot.
Shesterkin isn't the only personnel change for the Rangers tonight. Newly acquired Arthur Kaliyev will make his Rangers debut and fan-favorite Matt Rempe will be back on the ice following his eight game suspension.
Igor Shesterkin will return for the Rangers tonight against the Devils at the Garden. He missed 4 games on injured reserve. Louis Domingue will be returned to Hartford. Arthur Kaliyev will make his Rangers and season debut. Matt Rempe will play. His 8-game suspension is over.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) January 9, 2025
The Devils currently sit second in the Metropolitan division, while the Rangers sit seventh. A win for the Blueshirts would move the Rangers into sixth in the division, and put them just two points out of the final wild card spot in the east. Igor Shesterkin could be the jolt the Rangers need to propel them back into consistently winning ways.