Lundqvist praises Shesterkin after historic Rangers goalie goal
Igor Shesterkin became the first New York Rangers goaltender to score a goal, finding an empty Tampa Bay net from his own crease on Thursday. Henrik Lundqvist, the franchise’s record-holder in wins and games played, reacted on social media by saying it was only a matter of time. Shesterkin, who previously scored in Russian junior hockey, said he did not see the puck cross the line before teammates celebrated.
Shesterkin’s empty-net strike came from his own crease against Tampa Bay on Thursday, making him the first of 93 Rangers goaltenders since 1926-27 to record a goal. Lundqvist, whose No. 30 was retired in 2022 and who entered the Hall of Fame in 2023, never scored in 887 games despite owning franchise records for wins, appearances, shutouts, and save percentage.
The two are linked beyond the net: Lundqvist’s last New York seasons overlapped with Shesterkin’s rise, and Lundqvist now works as an MSG Network analyst. Shesterkin had previously scored as a 19-year-old for Spartak Moscow in Russia’s junior MHL in 2013, and Mika Zibanejad said he had seen him come close many times.
This moment may resonate beyond Rangers fans, giving goaltenders and young players a rare highlight from a position rarely credited with scoring. Social media reaction from Lundqvist could amplify the story, drawing casual viewers to hockey and reinforcing intergenerational ties between franchise icons. For New York fans, it may become a memorable trivia point and a small boost to Shesterkin’s public profile, though its broader societal effect is likely limited to sports culture and fan engagement.