The rivalry between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils is among the best in the NHL and the two teams carved out a new chapter on Tuesday night.
Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin and Devils netminder Jacob Markstrom dropped the gloves in a rare goalie fight in the third period of New York’s 4-1 win over New Jersey.
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As a brouhaha began near Shesterkin’s net, Markstrom skated down the ice with his helmet off. The two knew it was on from there. Shesterkin appeared to have got the better of Markstrom in the scrum, landing more punches than his goaltending counterpart did.
"I'd like to thank my boxing coach," Shesterkin said jokingly after the game.
The battle even surprised Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan.
"It was a great fight. I didn't know Shesty had that in him," Sullivan said.
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Markstrom said he felt like he needed to get involved in the melee as the Devils were struggling throughout the game.
"I felt like I needed to do something," he said. "It's adrenaline. You just go there and swing for the fences."
Rangers star J.T. Miller praised the "old-school" nature of the fight.
"It's just so rare, unexpected," Miller said. "That was just old-school ... I think it was great for our team to see that. To see what a goalie can do – obviously goalies aren't fighting that often -- to see him have him have our back and stick up for himself obviously sends a message that he's such a leader for us."
New York and New Jersey are in the bottom barrel of the Metropolitan Division this season.
The Rangers, already eliminated from postseason contention, improved to 31-35-9. The Devils dropped to 38-34-2.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
