New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin will start Thursday’s game against the visiting New Jersey Devils , coach Peter Laviolette announced.
Shesterkin has missed the team’s past four games due to an upper-body injury. He sustained the injury during the Rangers’ 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers on Dec. 30.
Signed to an eight-year, $92 million contract last month, Shesterkin won the Vezina Trophy as the top netminder for the 2021-22 season.
Shesterkin finished third in Hart Trophy (MVP) balloting during his stellar 2021-22 season in which he went 36-13-4 and led the NHL with both a 2.07 goals-against average and .935 save percentage.
Shesterkin, 29, has posted an 11-15-1 record with a 3.10 goals-against average and .926 save percentage in 27 games (27 starts) this season.
He is 146-74-18 with 16 shutouts, a 2.50 GAA and .919 save percentage in 240 career appearances (235 starts) with the Rangers.