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Lundqvist admits getting extension done was a ‘distraction’

New York Rangers v Calgary Flames

CALGARY, AB - MARCH 28: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers in action against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on March 28, 2014 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)

Derek Leung

New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist heads into the postseason looking to put some of his bad beats behind him.

After a season that saw him start slowly, King Henrik has looked a bit more like himself down the stretch. According to Larry Brooks of the New York Post, Lundqvist said that’s no coincidence.

“Early in the season there were a couple of distractions. I’m not going to lie — the contract played a part,” said Lundqvist, who signed a seven-year, $59.5 million extension on Dec. 4 after also dealing with an early-season injury that remains unidentified. “When you add everything together, it was not perfect. It was the most challenging part of my entire career.”

Suddenly, all the starts backup goalie Cam Talbot got in December make a lot of sense.

For Lundqvist to say that, it was certainly serious business. Given how poor his numbers were early in the season, the Rangers might be kicking themselves for not getting his extension done sooner.

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