Given the unpredictable nature of injuries resulting from shots to the throat or neck area, Shesterkin could have realistically missed anywhere from a few days to as much as a month had the puck struck him differently—something the Rangers could ill afford.

You can also stream if you have subscriptions to Spectrum, Optimum, Verizon Fios, DirecTV Stream or fuboTV. Nationally televised games may be available on ESPN+ (if broadcast on ABC, ESPN or carried by ESPN+), Hulu (ESPN+ broadcasts) or MAX (TNT/TBS/TruTV broadcasts).

There is a very good chance that many of the younger fans who attend Rangers games now couldn’t pick Denis Potvin out of a police lineup.

The Islanders will look to continue their strong play without injured No. 1 netminder Ilya Sorokin on Sunday night, when New York visits the Columbus Blue Jackets in a battle of Metropolitan Division rivals.

Rangers coach Mike Sullivan marvels at Matthew Schaefer's electrifying skating and game intelligence, calling the rookie defenseman an emerging star.