Rangers Goaltender Igor Shesterkin Sets New Franchise Record in Playoff Push

Igor Shesterkin etched his name deeper into New York Rangers history on Thursday night, recording his 45th win of the season and breaking Henrik Lundqvists franchise record for single-season victories by a goaltender. The 28-year-old Russian netminder achieved the milestone in spectacular fashion, stopping 34 of 35 shots in a 3-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden.

The record-breaking performance came at a crucial juncture for the Rangers, who are locked in a fierce battle for home-ice advantage in the upcoming playoffs. Shesterkins heroics helped New York maintain their two-point lead over the New Jersey Devils for second place in the Metropolitan Division, while keeping pace with the Boston Bruins for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Lundqvist, who held the previous record of 44 wins set during the 2011-12 season, was in attendance to witness his successor surpass the mark. The King himself presented Shesterkin with a commemorative puck during the first intermission, creating an emotional moment that had the Garden crowd on its feet. The passing of the torch symbolized not just a statistical achievement, but the continuation of the Rangers proud goaltending tradition.

Shesterkins journey to this record has been nothing short of remarkable. After a slow start to the season that saw him post a 3.12 GAA through his first 15 games, the 2022 Vezina Trophy winner has been virtually unbeatable since January. His current streak includes a 2.08 goals-against average and .925 save percentage over his last 30 appearances, numbers that have him firmly in the conversation for another Vezina Trophy.

The impact of Shesterkins excellence extends far beyond individual accolades. His stellar play has allowed the Rangers to weather significant injuries to key players, including captain Jacob Trouba and top-line winger Artemi Panarin. Coach Peter Laviolette has consistently praised his goaltenders ability to steal games and provide the confidence that allows the team to play with the aggressive style that has made them one of the Easts most dangerous teams.

With just over a month remaining in the regular season, Shesterkin appears poised to break several more franchise records. His current pace projects to 52 wins if he maintains his starting role, which would shatter his own record and potentially challenge some of the all-time NHL marks. More importantly for Rangers fans, his exceptional play has positioned the team as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender for the second time in three years.