Skip to Main Content Shesterkin scores Rangers first goalie goal in win against Lightning Becomes 18th goalie in NHL history to score, Dorofeyev also gets first for New York TBL@NYR: Shesterkin pots Rangers first ever goalie goal By Dan Rosen @drosennhl NHL.com Senior Writer October 02, 2026 Link copied NEW YORK — Igor Shesterkin scored his first career goalie goal and made 24 saves to lead the New York Rangers to a 5-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning in their home-opener at Madison Square
If you’re a New York Rangers fan, you probably woke up this morning with a smile on your face. Why? Because Igor Shesterkin, the man, the myth, the goaltender, just became the first goalie in Rangers history to score a goal. Yes, you read that right. A goalie. Scoring a goal. It’s like finding out your cat can recite Shakespeare—unexpected and mildly confusing.
In the Rangers’ home opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Shesterkin not only stopped pucks but decided to add a little flair to his resume by scoring one himself. With the Lightning’s net empty in the dying moments of the game, Shesterkin launched the puck from his own end. It took a few hops, maybe bounced off a couple of spectators, and somehow found its way into the net. The final score? A triumphant 5-1 victory for the Rangers. Talk about a way to make your mark!
Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate the rarity of this feat. Goalies scoring is as rare as finding a unicorn in your backyard. Sure, it happens, but when it does, you can’t help but suspect it’s some sort of cosmic joke. Before Shesterkin’s epic moment, the Rangers had never seen one of their own netminders score. That’s right—no goalie goals, just a lot of very frustrated players who were trying to figure out how to score with only five skaters on the ice.
Last season, the Rangers had a rough start at home, getting shut out in their first three games. It was like a bad sitcom where the punchline never lands. But this year? Oh, it’s a different story. They unleashed a wave of excitement right from the get-go, thanks in no small part to Shesterkin’s historic goal.
And let’s not forget the significance of this moment. Scoring as a goalie is a statement. It says, “Hey, I can do more than just stand here looking pretty in all this padding!” It’s a reminder that, in the world of hockey, anything can happen. Who knows? Maybe next time he’ll decide to do a little pirouette before scoring—because why not?
As fans, we love these moments. They give us something to talk about at the water cooler—”Did you see Shesterkin’s goal?”—and they remind us that hockey is not just a game of skill but also a game of surprises. So, here’s to Igor Shesterkin, the goalie who scored and made history. May your next shot be just as epic, and may your teammates learn how to score without relying on your newfound talent. Cheers to a great season ahead!
Inspired by: “Igor Shesterkin becomes first Rangers goalie to score in 5-1 win over Lightning in home opener” (r/News)