The New York Rangers suffered a concerning injury scare during Friday night’s 3-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, with superstar goaltender Igor Shesterkin leaving the game with a lower-body injury.

The Russian needed help getting off the ice in the second period after appearing to jam his right skate into the post while trying to get back into position. His right leg bent at an awkward angle as he fell in the crease.

It didn't look good, and head coach Mike Sullivan had no update on his condition after the game.

“Well, it's concerning, obviously,” Sullivan told reporters, per NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. “He's an elite goaltender, and you don't ever want to see anybody get hurt, but, obviously, he's an important player for us.”

Shesterkin is 3-1-0 with a 1.79 goals-against average and .927 save percentage in 2026-27. The perennial Vezina Trophy candidate has been a key reason the Rangers are off to a strong 4-2-0 start.

“He's a big part of this team, without a doubt,” Sullivan added. “I've said it on so many different occasions, he's one of amongst the best goalies in the world, if not the best. He's that good.”

With Joonas Korpisalo also sidelined by a lower-body injury, New York turned to rookie Dylan Garand, who posted the first shutout of his NHL career in a 2-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 2.

Garand turned aside 11 of the 12 shots he faced Friday, but the Blueshirts were unable to put another goal past Capitals netminder Logan Thompson after an Alexis Lafreniere tally in the first period.

The Rangers are now waiting for further information on Shesterkin's condition, with the severity of the injury and his availability still unclear.

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“It's awful,” Rangers captain J.T. Miller said. “He's a pillar of this team. It stinks. Obviously, it's (early). We don't even know what's going on, but to see him leave the game is a shot to all of us, a shock to all of us.”

“Definitely not a good feeling for anyone seeing anyone on your team go down, especially a guy like that who's kind of the pillar on the back end there,” echoed star defenseman Adam Fox. “You know, it (stinks). Obviously, we're hoping for the best for him.”

The Rangers return to action against the visiting Vancouver Canucks on Sunday evening.