NEW YORK — Igor Shesterkin became the 18th goalie in NHL history and the first in New York Rangers history to score a goal, sealing a 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning to headline an eight-game Thursday slate that also saw the Edmonton Oilers outlast the Vancouver Canucks 9-7.
The 30-year-old sailed a shot the full length of the ice over the Lightning defenders and into the empty cage to secure the victory. The historic marker came after a season in which the Rangers finished 23rd in goal-scoring and acquired Pavel Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights to address the offense.
Just days after being traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs, 23-year-old Matthew Knies was thrust into the Columbus Blue Jackets' top line and top power-play unit and delivered instantly. He potted two goals and added an assist for three points, tying the franchise record for most points in a Blue Jackets debut previously held by Artemi Panarin with three assists at the start of the 2017-18 season, and becoming the first skater to record multiple goals in a Blue Jackets debut.
In Edmonton, the Oilers bounced back against the Canucks in a wild 9-7 final. Edmonton built an 8-2 lead midway through the second period before Vancouver stormed back to make it 8-6 and eventually 9-7 at the final buzzer. Oilers blueliner Evan Bouchard continued his hot start with a three-point effort, setting an NHL record for most points by a defenseman in the first two games of his team's season, following Evan Bouchard Opens Norris Revenge Tour With Historic Hat Trick.
In Florida, Panthers captain Alexander Barkov went down in the second period with an apparent leg injury, heading directly down the tunnel and throwing his gloves in frustration. Head coach Paul Maurice indicated the team will learn more Friday on Barkov's status, but clarified the injury had nothing to do with the injury that kept him out for the entirety of the 2025-26 season.