The struggling New York Rangers are getting their No. 1 goalie back.
Head coach Peter Laviolette told reporters that Igor Shesterkin, who has been out since Dec. 31, will start on Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils.
Laviolette also said that Arthur Kaliyev, who was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, will make his team debut and Matt Rempe, who has finished serving an eight-game suspension, will return to the lineup.
The Rangers placed Shesterkin on IR on Dec. 31 with an upper-body injury, though it was not immediately clear when he sustained the injury. He remained in net during his last start on Dec. 30 against the Florida Panthers, where he allowed four goals on 25 shots.
While the Rangers have been struggling, Shesterkin has been steady between the pipes, though maybe not up to his standards. Through 27 games this season, the 29-year-old has a .906 save percentage and 3.11 goals-against average, with one shutout.
The 2022 Vezina Trophy recipient signed a monster eight-year, $92 million contract on Dec. 6 that will make him the highest-paid goaltender in the league when the deal takes effect next season.
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