Goalie fight erupts between Markstrom and Shesterkin

Scuffle breaks out between Devils and Rangers goalies in heated matchup

Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:28am

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A heated on-ice altercation broke out between New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin and New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom during their recent matchup. The two goalies engaged in a physical fight, exchanging blows before being separated by officials.

Why it matters

Goalie fights are rare in the NHL, making this an unusual and newsworthy incident. The rivalry between the Devils and Rangers is also quite intense, adding to the drama of the situation.

The details

The fight occurred late in the third period of the game, with the Devils leading the Rangers. Shesterkin and Markstrom began shoving each other after a stoppage in play, with the confrontation quickly escalating into punches being thrown. Both goalies were assessed penalties and ejected from the game following the altercation.

  • The fight took place late in the third period of the April 1, 2026 game between the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers.

The players

Igor Shesterkin

The starting goaltender for the New York Rangers.

Jacob Markstrom

The starting goaltender for the New Jersey Devils.

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What they’re saying

“I've never seen anything like that in my 20 years covering the NHL. Those two really let their emotions get the best of them out there.”

— Jace Evans, USA TODAY reporter

What’s next

The NHL is expected to review the incident and determine if any further disciplinary action is warranted against Shesterkin and Markstrom for their roles in the fight.

The takeaway

This rare goalie fight highlights the intense rivalry between the Devils and Rangers, as well as the heightened emotions that can boil over during a difficult season for both teams.