Even while facing unusual struggles, Henrik Lundqvist continues to hit milestones and climb up the NHL’s record books.
In the case of Tuesday, the New York Rangers’ 5-2 win against the Florida Panthers gave Lundqvist the 404th win of his distinguished career. In doing so, Lundqvist broke his tie with Grant Fuhr for 10th all-time in goalie victories.
There’s a chance he can rise up another spot in 2016-17, too:
1. Martin Brodeur - 691 wins
2. Patrick Roy - 551
3. Ed Belfour - 484
4. Curtis Joseph - 454
5. Roberto Luongo - 453
6. Terry Sawchuk - 447
7. Jacques Plante - 437
8. Tony Esposito - 423
9. Glenn Hall - 407
10. Lundqvist - 404
"I'm proud" - @HLundqvist30 on entering the top 10 in NHL career wins with 404 after tonight's #NYR victory in Florida. https://t.co/Ue80Jvylff
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 8, 2017
Doing this against the Panthers seems like a nice touch, as Roberto Luongo and Jaromir Jagr have been putting together impressive marks/records of their own at times this season.
If 404 wins is a little too “vanilla” for you, Lundqvist also did something else impressive if more obscure:
Lundqvist has reached the 30-win mark 11 times, joining Martin Brodeur (14) & Patrick Roy (13) as the only goalies to accomplish the feat. pic.twitter.com/8GkcP1RKhr
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 8, 2017
Ah, those specific stats are the best, aren’t they?
The Rangers also give themselves an outside chance to crawl into the second or third spot in the Metro, though the Penguins and Blue Jackets hold some significant advantages at the moment:
2. Blue Jackets - 90 points in 65 games (beat the Devils)
3. Penguins - 88 points in 64 games (inactive)
First wild card: Rangers - 88 points in 67 games
And, as Jeremy Roenick and Brian Boucher discussed on Monday, there are actually some positives if the Rangers finish in that first wild card spot (especially if it means that Lundqvist can rest and regain confidence):