Garand seizes chance in Rangers net amid injuries to Shesterkin, Korpisalo
With Igor Shesterkin out for the season due to a knee injury and Joonas Korpisalo also sidelined, Dylan Garand has stepped into a larger role for the Rangers. Garand owns a 3-2-1 record with a 1.82 goals-against average, a .927 save percentage, and one shutout. Kevin Woodley praised Garand's edge work and NHL readiness but noted that sustaining No. 1 duties will be a significant test.
New York entered 2026-27 after a last-place finish in the Eastern Conference. Igor Shesterkin's season-ending knee injury and Joonas Korpisalo's absence forced the club to turn to Dylan Garand, a 24-year-old who had passed through preseason waivers.
Garand has posted a 3-2-1 mark, 1.82 GAA, .927 save percentage and one shutout, though he allowed four goals against New Jersey last week. InGoal's Kevin Woodley told Daily Faceoff LIVE that Garand's edge control and compact movement resemble Dustin Wolf's, and that while his NHL readiness looks clear, handling No. 1 duties is a larger challenge.
Garand's emergence could give Rangers fans a hopeful storyline during an injury-hit season, while young goaltenders may see a path from waiver risk to meaningful NHL minutes. If he sustains his form, it may shape how teams evaluate smaller netminders and backup depth; if not, it could reinforce the difficulty of replacing an elite starter. The broader impact may remain limited to the hockey community.