Rangers, Devils Goalies Brawl in Rare Goalie Fight at MSG

Shesterkin and Markstrom drop the gloves in heated third-period scuffle

Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:09am

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In a surprising turn of events during the Rangers' 4-1 win over the Devils, star goaltenders Igor Shesterkin and Jacob Markstrom engaged in a rare and lengthy fight at center ice in the third period. The two netminders removed their helmets and exchanged blows, with Shesterkin landing more punches on his Swedish counterpart. The spirited altercation brought the Madison Square Garden crowd to its feet and provided a much-needed moment of excitement in an otherwise disappointing home season for the Rangers.

Why it matters

Goalie fights are extremely uncommon in the NHL, making this incident a highly unusual and memorable moment. The willingness of the two star goalies to drop the gloves and defend their teams speaks to the intensity of the Rangers-Devils rivalry and the competitive fire that burns within both players.

The details

The fight occurred at the 9:05 mark of the third period, after a larger scuffle broke out behind the Rangers' net. Shesterkin and Markstrom skated the length of the ice to meet each other, removing their helmets and exchanging punches. Shesterkin appeared to land more blows on Markstrom before wrestling him to the ice. Both goalies were assessed five-minute fighting majors and two-minute penalties for leaving their creases.

  • The fight occurred at the 9:05 mark of the third period.
  • The Rangers went on to win the game 4-1.

The players

Igor Shesterkin

The star goaltender for the New York Rangers, known for his competitive spirit and athleticism.

Jacob Markstrom

The starting goaltender for the New Jersey Devils, recognized for his Swedish heritage and emotional playing style.

J.T. Miller

The captain of the New York Rangers, who praised Shesterkin's leadership and willingness to defend his team.

Nico Hischier

The captain of the New Jersey Devils, who commended Markstrom's competitive character and desire to fight for his team.

Mike Sullivan

The head coach of the New York Rangers, who expressed surprise and admiration for Shesterkin's fighting abilities.

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What they’re saying

“I'd like to thank my boxing coach,”

— Igor Shesterkin

“We needed that. There hasn't been, unfortunately, a lot to cheer about early this year. To have a moment like that, it's really special.”

— J.T. Miller, Rangers captain

“It shows his character, shows he's a competitor. It's huge for us ... I know Markie is an emotional guy. That's what you want to see in your team.”

— Nico Hischier, Devils captain

“It was a great fight. I didn't know Shesty had that in him.”

— Mike Sullivan, Rangers coach

“I felt like I needed to do something. It's adrenaline. You just go there and swing for the fences.”

— Jacob Markstrom

What’s next

The NHL is expected to review the incident and potentially issue suspensions or fines to Shesterkin and Markstrom for leaving their creases and engaging in the fight.

The takeaway

This rare and spirited goalie fight between two of the league's top netminders provided a much-needed moment of excitement for the struggling Rangers and their fans, while also showcasing the intense rivalry and competitive fire between the two teams. The incident underscores the passion and physicality that can sometimes boil over in the heat of NHL action.