What would the New York Rangers look like without Henrik Lundqvist?
If you merely looked at the final score (Penguins 5, Rangers 4) you would think that the Rangers made it to overtime despite Lundqvist. However, as is often the case, the stats don’t tell the whole story.
OK, maybe they do: Lundqvist made a career-high 50 saves to keep the Rangers in the game while Marc-Andre Fleury was only slightly busier than he was in Vancouver (pulled after allowing 4 goals on only 12 shots). In fact, three of the five Penguins goals went off one of Lundqvist’s teammates. Talk about literally overcoming your teammates.
Despite the great performance, Lundqvist was naturally upset about the loss.
Handsome Hank is, in my opinion, one of the five best goalies in the NHL right now. Yet because he plays on a middling Rangers team, he may never win Vezina or a Stanley Cup. Perhaps Lundqvist will have to seek comfort in gorgeous Swedish women and the memories of his gold medal. Poor guy.