Igor Shesterkin is well on pace to break the record for most points by a goalie in a season, and to prove it, he's already earned himself some recognition.
The New York Rangers goaltender was named the NHL's first star of the week after a Shohei Ohtani-esque two-way opening week, the league announced Monday.
Shesterkin was his usual dominant self between the pipes, posting a 2-1 record with a 1.67 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage, but shone on offence with a goal and an assist to his name as well.
The 30-year-old netminder scored the first goal of his career — and the first goalie goal in Rangers franchise history — in a 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. He then added an assist in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Utah Mammoth.
Edmonton Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard and Vancouver Canucks forward Paul Cotter were named the second and third stars, respectively.
Bouchard filled up the scoresheet in two barn-burning affairs against the Canucks in the opening two games of the year, finishing with four goals and four assists over the first week of the season.
The 26-year-old blueliner had a career game in the opener, a 6-5 overtime loss to Vancouver, scoring his second career hat trick and finishing with five total points — the most by a defenceman on opening night.
Cotter, meanwhile, announced himself to the Canucks faithful in his first week with the team, finishing with four goals and two assists in four games.
Signed as a free agent in the off-season, the 26-year-old opened his Canucks account with points in each of the team's first four games and scored the OT winner against Edmonton on opening night.
