Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin pulled after allowing five goals to Kings

NEW YORK (AP) — Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin was pulled early in the second period against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday afternoon after giving up five even-strength goals on 21 shots.

Shesterkin, who entered the contest at 9-10-1 record and a 2.90 goals-against average, allowed two goals in the first period, then three within the initial 5:04 of the second.

The three goals in the middle period — which came in a span of 2:18 by Quinton Byfield, Adrian Kempe and Phillip Danault — sent Shesterkin to the bench in favor of backup Jonathan Quick, a former King. Shesterkin sat at the end of the Rangers bench with his mask still on after leaving the game.

Shesterkin, who agreed to a record eight-year, $92 million contract extension earlier this month, won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender in 2021-22 when he was 36-13-4 with a 2.07 goals against average. He won 37 games in 2022-23 and 36 last season as the Rangers finished with the NHL’s best record.

But the 28-year-old Russian netminder has struggled at times this season. He also was yanked after allowing five goals in a 6-1 loss to Buffalo at home on Nov. 7.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL