A new photo of Igor Shesterkin's injury has Rangers fans even more worried, with his right ankle appearing to bend awkwardly against the goal post.
It's hard to tell from the image whether the knee or the ankle took the worst of it. What's clear is that the twist looked bad.
The bigger question is why the net didn't come off its moorings. With that kind of impact, plenty of people expected it to give way.
Early medical analysis of the video had already flagged that exact detail. With the post staying in place, the concern shifted toward a possible ankle fracture.
A fracture would typically mean four to 12 weeks or more. A sprain could mean four to six, depending on severity.
The goalie was carried off without putting any weight on his right leg in Friday's 3-1 loss in Washington.
Why the net stayed put is now part of the Rangers' worry
Nets are designed to release on heavy contact for exactly this reason. When they don't, the player absorbs the full force instead.
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Mike Sullivan still hasn't offered an update. Until he does, the photo is all fans have, and it doesn't look good.
Dylan Garand takes over with a .971 save percentage, while Joonas Korpisalo remains on injured reserve until at least Oct. 19.
The league should take a hard look at why this net held. Goalies are already the most exposed players on the ice, and equipment meant to protect them has to work when it matters most.
A net that won't give way is like an airbag that doesn't deploy. It's there for one moment, and that moment just came.
Shesterkin, 30, carries an $11,567,857 cap hit, and New York has built its identity around him. The Rangers host Vancouver on Sunday.
The photo raised more questions than answers. The only one that matters to Rangers fans now is how long their goalie will be gone.
Should the NHL review why the net didn't move on Igor Shesterkin's injury?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Igor Shesterkin's injury status: Medical update reveals worst-case scenario for the Rangers' star goaltender
