Just a year ago from today, New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist wanted out of the Big Apple. Even with a wealth of talent on the wings (Ryan Callahan, Rick Nash, Mats Zuccarello, Carl Hagelin, Ryan Clowe), the Rangers could not muster any goals and had to rely on Henrik's brilliance to bail them out. In fact, Lundqvist essentially single-handedly beat the Capitals in the first round last year, only allowing one goal in the final three games of the seven-game series. In the ensuing series against the Bruins, the Rangers were outshot in all but one game (allowed 30+ shots in every game of the series), as the Bruins ousted the Rangers in five games.
Lundqvist could not stand to bear that style of play anymore, as he entered his contract year prior to the 2013-2014 season. Even though the team achieved regular season success (best in the East in 2012), New York was repeatedly exposed in the postseason. They underachieved in the 2012 postseason, needing seven games to beat the 8th-seeded Senators and 7th-seeded Capitals before losing in six to the 6th-seeded Devils. Lundqvist could not play for Coach John Tortorella much longer, as his aggressive coaching style went against many of the team's finesse strengths. The Rangers fired Tortorella after the 2013 postseason and went on to hire former Canucks coach Alain Vigneault, who led Vancouver to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011.
This provided hope and belief to the organization, and Lundqvist was sold on the future of the team. He signed a seven-year/$59.5 million contract in December, essentially guaranteeing that he will retire a Ranger. That contract has turned out to be a BARGAIN for the Rangers. Holy cow, where would the Rangers be without King Henrik??
Currently, the Rangers have won five straight postseason games and are arguably in the midst of their best play in the past 20 years, since their last Cup in in 1994. Lundqvist has been an absolute machine these playoffs, willing New York to Game 7 wins against the state of Pennsylvania. Through Monday's games, the Rangers have allowed the FEWEST goals per game in the league despite playing three potent offenses in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Montreal. Jeez, wonder why?
Not only has Lundqvist allowed the fewest goals per game in these playoffs, he's done it despite facing some ridiculous scoring chances. This was never more evident than at the end of the Pittsburgh series and the momentum has carried on to the Conference Finals against Montreal. Lundqvist has not surrendered a power play goal since Game 2 of the Penguins series, and over the last three games against Pittsburgh, Lundqvist only allowed one goal each in the final three games after the Rangers fell behind 3-1 in the series. Also, the Penguins DOMINATED puck possession, especially in the final two games of that series, when they were looking for the equalizers. Lundqvist remained tough, not allowing a SINGLE goal in the final period of Games 6 and 7.
The Penguins outshot the Rangers in every period of Game 7, including 13 each in the final two periods, and had an array of scoring chances in front of the net by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, James Neal, and Chris Kunitz. Lundqvist did not flinch and ended up stopping 102 of the final 105 shots he faced in the series. This was against arguably the most potent front line in all of hockey, and he bailed out his defense from missed assignments numerous times that gave the Penguins odd-man opportunities. After winning four elimination games this postseason, Lundqvist improved to 10-2 in his career in elimination games. Want more? He won an NHL-record FIFTH Game 7, all in the past three years.
The Rangers have many things going in their favor as they took a 2-0 lead in East Finals against the Canadiens, winning both games on the road. They have rallied behind Martin St. Louis, who is mourning the loss of his mother, and won the final couple games against the Penguins in St. Louis's honor. Montreal goaltender Carey Price is out for the series with a lower leg injury. Entering the series, this was primed to be a rematch of the goalies from the 2014 Gold Medal Game in Sochi. Without Price, the Canadiens will need to generate more offensive punch from their defense and turnovers.
They actually did that in Game 2, generating 41 shots on net compared to New York's 30 shots. However, Lundqvist saved all but one shot and did not allow a goal in the final 53 minutes of the game.
Amidst one of the better offensive stretches in the season, the Rangers now look near unbeatable in this series and are now primed to reach the Cup Finals for the first time since 1994. However, even if the offense reverts back to mediocrity, they can always rely on the one piece that has gotten them this far: Henrik Lundqvist. He has shown absolutely no signs of slowing down and he has proven time and time again that he plays his best when the stakes are highest. If New York ends up winning it all, the Rangers will need to make room for a statue of Lundqvist, no matter what he does the remainder of his career. Until that point, let's all sit back and enjoy the goaltending clinic that Lundqvist is putting together against the best competition. All hail King Henrik.
Lundqvist could not stand to bear that style of play anymore, as he entered his contract year prior to the 2013-2014 season. Even though the team achieved regular season success (best in the East in 2012), New York was repeatedly exposed in the postseason. They underachieved in the 2012 postseason, needing seven games to beat the 8th-seeded Senators and 7th-seeded Capitals before losing in six to the 6th-seeded Devils. Lundqvist could not play for Coach John Tortorella much longer, as his aggressive coaching style went against many of the team's finesse strengths. The Rangers fired Tortorella after the 2013 postseason and went on to hire former Canucks coach Alain Vigneault, who led Vancouver to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011.
This provided hope and belief to the organization, and Lundqvist was sold on the future of the team. He signed a seven-year/$59.5 million contract in December, essentially guaranteeing that he will retire a Ranger. That contract has turned out to be a BARGAIN for the Rangers. Holy cow, where would the Rangers be without King Henrik??
Currently, the Rangers have won five straight postseason games and are arguably in the midst of their best play in the past 20 years, since their last Cup in in 1994. Lundqvist has been an absolute machine these playoffs, willing New York to Game 7 wins against the state of Pennsylvania. Through Monday's games, the Rangers have allowed the FEWEST goals per game in the league despite playing three potent offenses in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Montreal. Jeez, wonder why?
Not only has Lundqvist allowed the fewest goals per game in these playoffs, he's done it despite facing some ridiculous scoring chances. This was never more evident than at the end of the Pittsburgh series and the momentum has carried on to the Conference Finals against Montreal. Lundqvist has not surrendered a power play goal since Game 2 of the Penguins series, and over the last three games against Pittsburgh, Lundqvist only allowed one goal each in the final three games after the Rangers fell behind 3-1 in the series. Also, the Penguins DOMINATED puck possession, especially in the final two games of that series, when they were looking for the equalizers. Lundqvist remained tough, not allowing a SINGLE goal in the final period of Games 6 and 7.
The Penguins outshot the Rangers in every period of Game 7, including 13 each in the final two periods, and had an array of scoring chances in front of the net by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, James Neal, and Chris Kunitz. Lundqvist did not flinch and ended up stopping 102 of the final 105 shots he faced in the series. This was against arguably the most potent front line in all of hockey, and he bailed out his defense from missed assignments numerous times that gave the Penguins odd-man opportunities. After winning four elimination games this postseason, Lundqvist improved to 10-2 in his career in elimination games. Want more? He won an NHL-record FIFTH Game 7, all in the past three years.
The Rangers have many things going in their favor as they took a 2-0 lead in East Finals against the Canadiens, winning both games on the road. They have rallied behind Martin St. Louis, who is mourning the loss of his mother, and won the final couple games against the Penguins in St. Louis's honor. Montreal goaltender Carey Price is out for the series with a lower leg injury. Entering the series, this was primed to be a rematch of the goalies from the 2014 Gold Medal Game in Sochi. Without Price, the Canadiens will need to generate more offensive punch from their defense and turnovers.
They actually did that in Game 2, generating 41 shots on net compared to New York's 30 shots. However, Lundqvist saved all but one shot and did not allow a goal in the final 53 minutes of the game.
Amidst one of the better offensive stretches in the season, the Rangers now look near unbeatable in this series and are now primed to reach the Cup Finals for the first time since 1994. However, even if the offense reverts back to mediocrity, they can always rely on the one piece that has gotten them this far: Henrik Lundqvist. He has shown absolutely no signs of slowing down and he has proven time and time again that he plays his best when the stakes are highest. If New York ends up winning it all, the Rangers will need to make room for a statue of Lundqvist, no matter what he does the remainder of his career. Until that point, let's all sit back and enjoy the goaltending clinic that Lundqvist is putting together against the best competition. All hail King Henrik.
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