New York Rivalries Revealed in Goaltending Gaps as Season Shifts Midpoint

Igor Shesterkin’s injury cast a long shadow over Ilya Sorokin’s return to the net on Tuesday night, but the New York Islanders goalie was quick to put it into perspective: his friend was out with what looked like a serious lower-body issue. Across town, Jacob Markstrom faced an entirely different challenge at Madison Square Garden, struggling to contain the first two shots he faced before falling victim to nine goals in a disastrous outing. At the midpoint of the NHL season, a stark contrast emerges among the three New York-area teams: the Rangers and Islanders are coping with injuries to their top goalies, while the Devils are reaping the benefits of a strong and healthy Sergei Bobrovsky. The disparity has significant implications for the Eastern Conference playoff picture, where a tight race is shaping up with several teams vying for a spot. As the regular season enters its final stretch, these goaltending gaps could prove pivotal in determining which teams ultimately advance to the postseason.