Igor Shesterkin leads Rangers into 2026 season opener vs. Lightning Oct. 1

Igor Shesterkin will start his 2026-27 NHL season behind the crease for the New York Rangers on Oct. 1 at Madison Square Garden against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

What’s the Rangers’ 2026-27 home opener?

The Rangers will open their campaign at home on Thursday, Oct. 1, when Shesterkin and the Blueshirts host Nikita Kucherov’s Lightning. Tickets are on sale now, with a SeatGeek promo code **NYPOST10** slashing $10 off orders over $250: but only for first-time buyers.

Why this opener matters for Igor Shesterkin

Shesterkin headlines a revamped Rangers lineup after a rough 2025-26. The club limped to a 34-39-9 record, last in the Metropolitan Division. General Manager Chris Drury reshaped the roster this summer, landing forwards Pavel Dorofeyev and Cole Beaudoin, defensemen Marcus Pettersson and Seaon Durzi, plus two draft picks: Alberts Šmits (5th overall) and Benjamin MacBeath (64th overall).

The Rangers already know the Lightning well. They split last season’s three meetings, winning twice. Shesterkin, Adam Fox, Mika Zibanejad, Vladislav Gavrikov and Alexis Lafrenière anchor the core as Drury tries to erase 2025-26’s disappointment.

What’s next for the Rangers?

Drury’s moves aim to tighten the roster around Shesterkin and Fox. The additions join a core that struggled to gel last year. The Rangers open on Oct. 1, but their preseason schedule starts sooner: a full calendar is available online.

How to grab Rangers tickets for the Lightning opener

SeatGeek lists prices by section for the Oct. 1 matchup. The promo code **NYPOST10** knocks $10 off orders over $250, but only for first-time SeatGeek users. Prices and availability can shift, so act fast if you want to catch Shesterkin at MSG on opening night.