Igor Shesterkin Injured, Latest News on Rangers Star's Status After Exiting vs. Capitals

New York Rangers star goaltender Igor Shesterkin was helped off the ice Friday after suffering an apparent leg injury in the second period of a game against the Washington Capitals.

Shesterkin fell to the ice after attempting a save by lunging into a split with his right skate blade braced against the goalpost.

Dylan Garand took over for the Rangers in net following Shesterkin's exit from the game, which was tied at 1-1 with 11:40 remaining in the second period.

Shesterkin was putting no weight on his right leg as he was helped off the ice by two teammates.

Losing Shesterkin would be a major blow for the Rangers, which began the season 4-1-0 in part thanks to the netminder's strong start.

The former Vezina Trophy winner had posted a .926 save percentage while allowing just 1.75 goals against per game through his first four starts of the season.

He also scored the first goal of his NHL career to cap off the Rangers' home-opening win against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Rangers are already missing No. 2 goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, who was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury after the season opener. Garand was recalled from the AHL in a corresponding move.

Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said Korpisalo had not resumed skating as of Thursday, per Mollie Walker of the New York Post.

AHL goaltender Spencer Martin, who would normally be fourth on the Rangers' depth chart behind Garand, is also day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

That could lead to the Rangers turning to Callum Tung, who started for the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack Friday night in Martin's absence, as a backup for Garand should Shesterkin miss any time.

That would leave the Rangers with an inexperienced goaltending tandem. Tung has yet to make his Rangers debut, while Friday night's substitution marked Garand's fifth appearance at the NHL level.

The Rangers will hope to hear good news regarding Shesterkin before Sunday's matchup against the visiting Vancouver Canucks.