Since breaking into the NHL in 2005, Henrik Lundqvist has guided the Rangers to 55 postseason victories including two Eastern Conference Finals and a Stanley Cup Final appearance.
Pretty good considering some of the defensive personnel he’s played behind including: Marek Malik, Sandis Ozolinsh, Jason Strudwick, Thomas Pock, Bryce Lampman, David Liffiton, Ivan Baranka, Christian Backman, Wade Redden, Dmitri Kalinin, Derek Morris, Corey Potter, Erik Reitz, Matt Gilroy, Anders Eriksson, Bobby Sanguinetti, Ilkka Heikkinen, Bryan McCabe, Stu Bickel, Jeff Woywitka, Tim Erixon, Brendan Bell, Roman Hamrlik, Connor Allen, Justin Falk, Michael Kostka and Chris Summers.
Not exactly a Murderers’ Row of defensemen.
Unless you’ve seen Lundqvist perform on a nightly basis, you can’t truly appreciate what he’s done for this franchise. Despite not winning a Cup, this last decade has been the “Golden Era” of New York Rangers hockey.
It’s not inconceivable to consider that the Rangers likely don’t qualify for the playoffs, let alone win over 50 postseason games, without Hank during that time span.
When all is said and done, Lundqvist will own every Rangers goaltending record, be enshrined into the Hall of Fame and have his jersey number hanging from the rafters of MSG, but even those accomplishments can’t due justice to how vital he’s been to the success of the organization.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDCfCqDBUtQ?rel=0]To say this year hasn’t been a typical Lundqvist season, is the understatement of the century. His 2.72 GAA and .907 SV% are well below his career numbers of 2.30 GAA and .920 SV%.This past weekend, Lundqvist hit a low point combining to stop just 40-of-49 shots against the Maple Leafs and Canadiens. And now the questioning has begun.
Has father time finally caught up with the All World goaltender? Should the Rangers explore a trade? Does Raanta give the team a better chance of winning?
Most will blame old age for exposing Lundqvist, however, what it’s really done is pull back the curtain on the Rangers mediocre defense.
For the past 11 seasons, Lundqvist has carried sub par defenses to heights unimaginable. Similar to Mike Piazza willing one of the worst outfields in baseball history into the 2000 World Series, Lundqvist has done the same with the Rangers back end throughout his career.
Year after year, the Swedish native has turned defensive groups of lemons into lemonade. Hell, I bet if you got Girardi and Staal drunk enough they’d both admit their multi-million dollars contracts are solely due to Lundqvist.
Sadly, now that the Frolunda product has proven to be less than superhuman this season, he is no longer able to cover up for the blunders of a defensive core that looks increasingly old, tired and worn down. Which ironically can be traced back to the postseason battles Lundqvist provided for them.
In a moment of clarity, here’s Girardi describing the mindset of Rangers defensemen with Lundqvist in goal (H/T reader Anonymous)…
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgr3AoKWtbw?start=98&end=111]In case you missed what Dan said:
“You don’t have to be your best every night when he’s back there.”
Well guess what folks, that mentality needs to end and it needs to end immediately.
Watching the difference in Rangers defensive play in front of Lundqvist compared to Raanta is night and day. Where they’re sure and composed in front of Raanta, they’re equality loose and erratic with Hank between the pipes.
After years of being bailed out by Lundqvist, you can understand why the defense has gotten a little too fat and happy in front of him.
Which is exactly the reason the Blueshirts need a paradigm shift. No longer can they expect Lundqvist to sustain a porous defense. No longer can they presume Hank will be there to pick up the pieces. And no longer can they assume “The King” will wave his magic goal stick and make all right with the world.
While I don’t think we’ll ever see a circa 2012 Lundqvist, I do believe he can still bring the Rangers a Stanley Cup if they’re able to sure up the defense to a competent level in front of him.
Lundqvist has always been there for the Rangers and their pedestrian defense, it’s officially time for them to return the favor.
Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at [email protected].
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
