Rangers defeat Devils 4-1 as goalies Shesterkin, Markstrom fight in third period
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin and New Jersey Devils goaltender Jakob Markstrom engaged in a rare goalie fight during the third period of the Rangers' 4-1 victory over the Devils on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York.[1][2]
The altercation began near Shesterkin's crease during a scrum, prompting Markstrom to skate the length of the ice without his helmet to challenge Shesterkin.[1]
Shesterkin appeared to land the more effective punches in the exchange.[1]
Shesterkin joked post-game, "I'd like to thank my boxing coach."[1] Markstrom said he felt compelled to join the melee as the Devils trailed.[1]
The Hudson River rivals, who have faced off since the Devils joined the NHL in 1982, added to their storied history with the uncommon goalie fight.[3]
Shesterkin, a 30-year-old Russian who has played for the Rangers since the 2020-21 season and won the Vezina Trophy as top goalie in 2021-22, made the start for New York.[4]
Markstrom, a 35-year-old Swede acquired by New Jersey from the Calgary Flames on June 28, 2024, in exchange for defenseman John Marino and multiple draft picks, was in net for the Devils.[5][6]
The Rangers improved to 31-35-9 while the Devils fell to 38-34-2, with both teams near the bottom of the Metropolitan Division and eliminated from playoff contention.[1][2]
Madison Square Garden has been the Rangers' home since 1968.[7]
Sources
- Fox News Digital, "Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin and Devils netminder Jacob Markstrom dropped the gloves", March 31, 2026, https://www.foxnews.com/sports
- NHL.com, "Game Center: Rangers vs. Devils - March 31, 2026", March 31, 2026, https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/nyr-vs-njd/2026/03/31/2025020794
- Wikipedia, "Hudson River rivalry", accessed April 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_River_rivalry
- NHL.com, "Igor Shesterkin - New York Rangers", accessed April 2024, https://www.nhl.com/rangers/player/igor-shesterkin-8479319
- NHL.com, "Devils acquire goalie Jakob Markstrom from Flames", June 28, 2024, https://www.nhl.com/news/devils-acquire-goalie-jakob-markstrom-from-flames-356543466
- NHL.com, "Jakob Markstrom - New Jersey Devils", accessed April 2024, https://www.nhl.com/devils/player/jakob-markstrom-8474564
- Wikipedia, "Madison Square Garden", accessed April 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_Square_Garden
