Rangers fans are clinging to one hope after Igor Shesterkin was carried off in Washington: that his injuries always look worse than they turn out to be.
It's the only bit of comfort they have right now. Every time the goalie gets hurt, the scene looks terrifying, and the news usually ends up better than feared.
That's the story many fans are telling themselves today. Some spent the whole night curled up, repeating that it will all be okay.
The scene was scary. Shesterkin couldn't put any weight on his right leg and had to be carried off.
Early medical analysis of the video raised concern about an ankle fracture because the post didn't come off, which would mean four to 12 weeks or more. A sprain could mean four to six weeks.
Goalie injuries are hard to read from the outside. All that gear hides a lot of what actually happens to the leg.
Mike Sullivan's Rangers wait on news as Dylan Garand steps in
Mike Sullivan hasn't offered an update yet. Until he does, every Rangers fan is stuck in the same waiting room.
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Dylan Garand gets the net for now, with a .971 save percentage and a shutout already. Joonas Korpisalo is on injured reserve until at least Oct. 19.
Shesterkin, 30, carries an $11,567,857 cap hit. New York's whole identity has been built around him stealing games.
Hope is fine, but the Rangers can't plan around it. If it's a fracture, Chris Drury needs a veteran goalie fast, and wishful thinking won't stop pucks.
It's like checking your bank account after a weekend in Vegas. You're hoping it's not as bad as you think, but you're scared to look.
The Rangers are 4-2-0 and host Vancouver on Sunday.
Maybe this really does look worse than it is. For a fan base that spent the night on edge, the official update can't come soon enough.
Do you think Igor Shesterkin's injury is less serious than it looked?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Igor Shesterkin's injury status: Medical update reveals worst-case scenario for the Rangers' star goaltender
