Igor Shesterkin put an extraordinary finish on the Rangers’ 5-1 win, scoring into the empty net to become the first goaltender ever to score a goal for New York. His late contribution capped a night that had already featured a power-play milestone for Mika and a first Rangers goal for P. Dorofeyev.
How the Game Played Out
The Rangers struck first on the power play. Mika finished the sequence for a 1-0 lead, and the broadcast identified it as his 125th power-play goal, extending his place atop the franchise’s all-time list. The early breakthrough gave the home side the lead, though Tampa Bay continued to test Shesterkin. The goalie held a shot from the slot and covered another chance after a Tampa attempt was deflected in front.
New York doubled its advantage when Dorofeyev scored his first goal as a Ranger. The play followed a defensive-zone sequence that let the Rangers turn possession into an opportunity the other way. The finish made it 2-0, giving Dorofeyev a memorable first marker with his new team and putting Tampa in a two-goal hole.
The Rangers also got help from a timely defensive play: JT Miller knocked a puck out of the air before it crossed the goal line. That stop mattered in a game where the Lightning generated chances, including attempts around the crease. New York killed off all four Tampa power plays, while Shesterkin made saves during the pressure. The game data confirms the Rangers finished with five goals and Tampa with one; it does not provide a period-by-period scoring breakdown.
The closing highlight belonged to Shesterkin. With Tampa pushing, he sent the puck toward the empty net and scored to make it 5-1. The broadcast captured the significance of the moment: no Rangers goaltender had scored before. Shesterkin then returned to his usual work in net, making another stop during a Tampa five-on-three sequence. The empty-netter was both an exclamation point on the result and a rare personal milestone.
What the Result Means
For New York, the win at Madison Square Garden combines a convincing final score with two distinctive moments: Dorofeyev’s first Rangers goal and Shesterkin’s historic tally. The power-play goal from Mika added another meaningful marker, while the four successful kills against Tampa’s power plays showed a strong result on the penalty kill. Those details give the Rangers several clear positives to take from the matchup.
The Lightning leave with one goal despite creating chances and earning multiple power plays. The final score establishes a decisive Rangers result, but the supplied game details do not include standings or either team’s next fixture, so the broader table implications and upcoming matchups are not specified. New York will look to carry the confidence of this home win into its next game.
Watch the Highlights
Watch the NHL highlight reel for the scoring moments, New York’s goal-line clearance, and the finish that made Shesterkin the first Rangers goaltender to score. The video is available at the link above.
Final Score: New York Rangers 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 1.
Final Score: New York Rangers 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 1.
Source: NHL video highlights + Highlightly match data