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Lundqvist gets early hook as Rangers fall to Blue Jackets

Toronto Maple Leafs v New York Rangers

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 19: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers guards the corner against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on January 19, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Rangers defeated the Maple Leafs 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

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Maybe the All-Star break made him a little rusty. Perhaps a tough Tuesday night had as much to do with the Columbus Blue Jackets’ attack as anything else.

Whatever the explanation might be, Henrik Lundqvist struggled once again for the New York Rangers, getting replaced by Antti Raanta early in the second period of tonight’s contest. Lundqvist allowed three goals on 16 shots.

There’s a wide range of reactions to Lundqvist getting the hook, from those wondering if age is indeed catching up to him to those placing much of the blame on the Rangers’ team play.

Take a look at the goal in question, Alexander Wennberg’s ninth of 2016-17:

Lundqvist was showing signs of improvement lately, allowing just six goals over a four-game period from Jan. 19-25. In the grand scheme of things, nights like these have been uncomfortably common for “King Henrik.”

Update: The Blue Jackets built up a 6-0 lead at one point, so things didn’t go a whole lot better for Raanta. The Rangers made a game of it with four unanswered goals in the third period, but Columbus ultimately won 6-4.