N環球 
Shesterkin scores first goalie goal in New York Rangers history in 5-1 win over Lightning
Igor Shesterkin scored into the empty net late in the third period of the New York Rangers' 5-1 home-opening win over Tampa Bay on Oct. 1 — the first goalie goal in franchise history and the 21st in NHL history.
Why it matters
It had never happened in 100 years of Rangers hockey. In the team's home opener, its star goaltender became the first in franchise history to score a goal — and only the 18th goaltender in NHL history — sealing a 5-1 win that also snapped a painful home-scoring drought.
Full report
Igor Shesterkin scored into the empty net at 17:26 of the third period to cap the New York Rangers' 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in their home opener at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, Oct. 1 — the first goalie goal in Rangers history.
Shesterkin became the 18th goaltender in NHL history to score, and his was the 21st goalie goal overall (19 in the regular season, two in the Stanley Cup Playoffs). He also made 24 saves, and the win was his 100th at Madison Square Garden — the fourth-fastest in franchise history to reach that mark.
The Rangers' other goals came from Mika Zibanejad (power play, first period), Pavel Dorofeyev — his first goal with the Rangers after arriving from Vegas — Eeli Tolvanen (also his first with New York), and Gabe Perreault. Nikita Kucherov scored for Tampa Bay. New York went 7-for-7 on the penalty kill.
The Rangers improved to 1-1-0 after Tuesday's 3-0 loss in Boston. Last season they were shut out in their first three home games; this year they didn't need long — the home opener brought the Garden its first goal in 2026-27 with style.
Sources: NHL.com game recap (Dan Rosen), Oct. 2, 2026.
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