League: NHL Sport: Hockey Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Igor Shesterkin scores as Rangers defeat Lightning 5-1 in opener

3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 2, 2026, 3:01 AM

Last updated Oct 2, 2026

Igor Shesterkin scores as Rangers defeat Lightning 5-1 in opener

Summary

The Rangers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-1 on October 1, 2026, in their home opener at Madison Square Garden. Mika Zibanejad opened the scoring with a power-play goal, followed by goals from Pavel Dorofeyev and Eeli Tolvanen. After a Lightning goal, Adam Fox restored the Rangers’ three-goal lead. Igor Shesterkin, who allowed just one goal and made 23 saves, capped the victory with an empty-net goal for his first career goal. The Rangers face the Detroit Red Wings next in a back-to-back matchup.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Mika Zibanejad scored first on a power play
•Pavel Dorofeyev and Eeli Tolvanen both netted their first goals as Rangers
•Shesterkin made 23 saves and scored an empty-net goal
•Rangers went 6-for-6 on penalty kills against the Lightning
•Next game for the Rangers is against the Detroit Red Wings.

Latest Updates

3:01 AMYahoo Sports — Igor Shesterkin becomes first Rangers goalie to score in 5-1 win over Lightning in home opener
2:37 AMYahoo Sports — Shesterkin’s goal caps Rangers 5-1 win over Lightning in home opener
1:51 AMYahoo Sports — Igor Shesterkin's empty net goal caps Rangers' dominant 5-1 win over Lightning in home opener

What they're saying

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Igor Shesterkin became the first New York Rangers goalie to score when he lofted the puck the length of the ice into an empty net, capping a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night.
— Yahoo Sports