Rangers, Devils goalies battle in wild fight during rivalry matchup

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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 carved out a new chapter on Tuesday night.

Rangers goaltender 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 win over New Jersey.

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New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) answers New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom's challenge to a fight in the third period at Madison Square Garden on March 31, 2026. (Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)

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/Imagn Images)

As a brouhaha began near Shesterkin’s net, Markstrom skated down the ice with his helmet off. The two knew it was on from there. Shesterkin appeared to have got the better of Markstrom in the scrum, landing more punches than his goaltending counterpart did.

"I'd like to thank my boxing coach," Shesterkin said jokingly after the game.

The battle even surprised 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 as 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 J.T. Miller praised the "old-school" nature of the fight.

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