Brad Richards and Mats Zuccarelo had given the Rangers a 2-0 lead over the defending Cup Champion Black Hawks and all that changed quickly in a two minute span in the second period. First Towes at the 6:17 mark of the second, followed two minutes later by a Bollig shot that eluded Lundqvist and suddenly it was tied and it quickly looked like the Rangers would fold in Chicago.
After all besides reigning Champs the Black Hawks were 29-7-9 and the lowly Blueshirts were 21-20-3. However the Rangers weren't cooked yet. They were 6-2-1 in their last nine and Lundqvist decided to close the door after the tying goal. He put up 35 saves, 15 in the first and 11 in the third. It was vintage Lundqvist, a hint that the big guy was ready to return to form.
It was typical that Lundqvist would rise to the occasion before a sold out Chicago crowd. It was also typical of this Ranger team that is now 14-10-0 on the road and 8-10-3 at home. But Lundqvist was and is the story. The King looks poised to retain his throne. He is ready for greatness once again. Greatness he understands and lives it. He will have a date with greatness at Yankee Stadium and will wear a facemask that will bear the faces of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio. That's greatness!
So the Rangers are back in the playoff hunt. Third place in the Metro, thank you. Carl Hagelin's game winning goal ensured that. It's an amazing season. We beat the Red Wings and the Blackhawks on their ice and lose to Columbus and the Islanders at the Garden. Aah hockey! I love it.
Thursday, January 09, 2014
The King Stands Tall
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