Shesterkin placed on IR after exiting with lower-body injury vs. Sharks

The New York Rangers placed goaltender Igor Shesterkin on injured reserve Saturday. He'll miss at least seven days retroactive to Friday when he had to be helped off the ice after suffering a lower-body injury against the San Jose Sharks.

Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant said postgame the ailment is "not as bad as it looked."

Gallant added Saturday that the Rangers "feel real comfortable he'll be ready to go in a week."

New York plays four times over the next week, beginning with home and road matchups against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday and Tuesday, respectively. The Rangers will then host the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday before a road game against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday.

Shesterkin appeared to be in discomfort after stretching out for a loose puck in front of his crease. He didn't put any weight on his right leg as teammate Jacob Trouba and a member of the club's medical staff helped Shesterkin off the ice.

Hate to see this. @NYRangers' Igor Shesterkin was helped off of the ice after this play. pic.twitter.com/yPqHf136mY

- Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 4, 2021

The 25-year-old was visibly frustrated after he left the surface, punching a wall with his blocker on the way to the dressing room.

Backup Alexandar Georgiev finished the game in Shesterkin's absence.

Shesterkin has been one of the best netminders in the league this season, entering Friday with a 12-3-2 record, a .935 save percentage, and a 2.15 goals against average. He ranks second in the league in goals saved above expectation (12.1) and fourth in goals saved above average (10.8), per Evolving-Hockey.

Georgiev, meanwhile, entered Friday with an .858 save percentage and 4.08 goals against average in six appearances this season.

Shesterkin and Georgiev combined for a 28-save shutout in the Rangers' 1-0 victory.

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