The New York Rangers faced a tough night against the Toronto Maple Leafs as Igor Shesterkin, the team’s Russian goaltender, endured a personal anti-league stretch by allowing six goals in a single regular season game. The clash ended with Toronto taking a decisive 7-3 victory, sealing the win with an empty-net goal that added the final tally. The result marked Shesterkin’s third consecutive loss, a stumble in a season where he has recorded ten wins and seven defeats across seventeen games. His performance featured a save percentage of 90.2 percent and a safety factor of 3.02, numbers that reflect both the challenge of the matchup and the busy grind of a lengthy NHL schedule.
Historically, the Russian netminder had conceded six goals only on three prior occasions in the NHL. Those instances included two regular-season games against the New York Islanders in April 2021 and the Calgary Flames in November 2021, followed by a playoff contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins in May 2022. Each occurrence underscored the occasional volatility that can accompany elite high-stakes hockey, even for a player of Shesterkin’s resume and pedigree.
From a broader team perspective, the Rangers sit in second place within the Eastern Conference, having accumulated 39 points. While the club remains in playoff contention, there is a noticeable gap to the top team in the conference when measured by multiple metrics. In the next scheduled game, New York will travel to face the Anaheim Ducks, with the contest slated for December 16 and viewed as an important chance to reset and regain momentum after a difficult night against Toronto.
On the franchise’s historical side, Artemi Panarin has continued to add to a landmark career milestone, becoming the 15th player from Russia to reach 700 career points in the NHL. This achievement highlights the enduring impact of Russian players in the league and adds another chapter to the Rangers’ season as they navigate a demanding schedule with several key performers contributing in different ways.