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The rivalry between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils is among the best in the NHL and the two teams opened a new chapter on Tuesday night.
Rangers goalie 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 victory over New Jersey.
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New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin (31) responds to New Jersey Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom’s challenge for a fight in the third period at Madison Square Garden on March 31, 2026. (Wendell Cruz/Image Images)
New York, United States; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) and New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) fight in the third period at Madison Square Garden on March 31, 2026. (Wendell Cruz/Image Images)
When a commotion began near Shesterkin’s net, Markstrom skated on the ice without his helmet. They both knew that everything was going to happen from there. Shesterkin seemed to have outplayed Markstrom in the scrum, landing more hits than his goalkeeper counterpart.
“I’d like to thank my boxing coach,” Shesterkin said jokingly after the match.
The battle surprised even 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 since 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 JT Miller praised the “old school” nature of the fight.
New York, United States; New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) jumps onto the ice for the start of the game against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on March 31, 2026. (Wendell Cruz/Image Images)
“It’s so weird, unexpected,” Miller said. “That was just old school… I think it was cool for our team to see that. Seeing what a goalie can do – obviously goalies don’t fight that often – seeing him have our back and defend himself obviously sends a message that he’s a great leader for us.”
New York and New Jersey are in last place in the Metropolitan Division this season.
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The Rangers, already eliminated from the postseason, improved to 31-35-9. The Devils fell to 38-34-2.
