Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin was taken out of the game early in the second period against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday afternoon after allowing five even-strength goals on 21 shots.
Shesterkin, who started the game with a 10-10-1 record and a 2.90 goals-against average, gave up two goals in the first period and three more within the first 5:04 of the second period.
The three goals in the second period — scored by Quinton Byfield, Adrian Kempe, and Phillip Danault in a span of 2:18 — caused Shesterkin to be replaced by backup goalie Jonathan Quick, who is a former King.
Shesterkin sat at the end of the Rangers’ bench with his mask still on after leaving the game, which the Rangers lost 5-1. This defeat marked the Kings’ seventh win in their last eight games.
“It was a horrendous first period,” said Rangers coach Peter Laviolette after the team lost for the ninth time in their last 12 games. “It’s frustrating. To start a game like that in our building is bad… You’re not going to win games if you start like that.”
Shesterkin, who recently signed an eight-year, $92 million contract extension, won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender in 2021-22 with a 36-13-4 record and a 2.07 goals-against average. He won 37 games in 2022-23 and 36 games last season, helping the Rangers finish with the NHL’s best record.
But the 28-year-old Russian goalie has had some struggles this season. He was also pulled after allowing five goals in a 6-1 loss to Buffalo at home on Nov. 7.
The Rangers, who had the league’s best record last season with 30 wins in 41 home games, are now 7-8-1 at Madison Square Garden.
They’ve allowed five or more goals in six of their last 10 home games. New York’s overall record is 15-13-1. The Rangers will play six of their next seven games on the road, where they have a record of 8-5-0.
“At the end of the day, you need to perform on the ice,” said Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck. “You need to make sure you show up and give it your all every shift. Right now, I feel like we’re not doing that.”
