Lundqvist starts Game 1, Shesterkin reportedly deemed unfit to play

The New York Rangers turned to the king for Game 1.

Henrik Lundqvist started in goal when the Rangers opened their qualifying-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, the team announced.

Igor Shesterkin was deemed unfit to play prior to puck drop, according to Dan Rosen of NHL.com.

The Rangers carried three goalies - Lundqvist, Shesterkin, and Alexandar Georgiev - on their roster for most of the season. Shesterkin, 24, took over the starter's role with an impressive start to his NHL career, going 10-2-0 with a .932 save percentage to help New York climb into the playoff race before the league halted play.

Lundqvist, 38, had the worst regular season of his career in 2019-20, posting a .905 save percentage across 30 appearances. He owns a .922 save percentage in 128 career playoff games, however, and he's been dominant against the Hurricanes throughout his NHL tenure.

Lundqvist went 3-0-0 with a 2.33 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage against Carolina this season. He owns a career record of 33-12-1 and a remarkable .934 save percentage versus the Hurricanes.