That was the cheers coming from the family men last night. Number one son and grandson in one house. Number two son in his house and the old man in his. We texted all night during the game with the highlights, shortfalls and of course Lundqvist. He was amazing. Yes, he made 35 saves and in the last five or six minutes he did things and saves that you only see in the movies. I would say he was unbelievable, but with Lundqvist everything is believable.
He has taken the Rangers on his back and in three straight must win elimination games has given up one goal per game as the Rangers came back from a 1-3 hole in the playoffs for the first time in their history. And while his overall record in playoff games is not that great, 38-43 he has a GAA of 2.25 in those games and a save % of .921. So the numbers are there while the team isn't always with him.
But this team, due to a tragedy, has bonded together and is with Henrik. The death of Martin St. Louis's mother has taken on a mission for this team and they are using it to their full advantage. All kind of strange and good things are happening. Last night, the oft criticized Brian Boyle, by this post, scored the first goal on passes from fellow 4th liners Moore and Dorsett. The team that scored the first goal has won the game in this series.
Then it was Richards, last years pariah, scoring the game winner on passes from the grieving St. Louis and Stepan. Jokinen sandwiched a goal in between, so it was 2-1 going into the third. The Pens poured thirteen shots on goal in the third period. In the last 5 or 6 minutes they even threw the kitchen sink at him, but to no avail. This was Henrik Lundqvist they were shooting at. New Yorkers don't call him the King for nothing. He's earned it. He deserves it.
I've said it many times in this post before. The Rangers will go only so far as Lundqvist will take them. Get on board fellows. We are going for a long ride whose destination is not known yet.
Long live the King!
ICINGS: Lundqvist was fined $5,000.00 for splashing Crosby with a water bottle at the end of game six. Crosby got a free ride for sticking Moore in the groin with a stick. I guess in the eyes of the NHL "the spritz is mightier than the stick."
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I couldn't be more proud of this team than I am today. This team has come so far in a short period of time. We went from not being sure they could make up the lost time in the beginning of the season, to watching them put the new system together and securing second place in the Metro, to making history last night on our way to the ECF. What's next? I can't wait to find out and I find it exciting that we don't truly know the answer to the question of what this group is truly capable of. I love the positive reinforcement form Alain Vigneault and his staff. He is the polar opposite of what we had last year and he is proving that supporting players rather than kicking them when they are down is the true way to motivate and the only way to inspire confidence. I know that you guys may not be completely sold on this coach and all of his decisions but I find him a breath of fresh air. The players are comfortable being themselves and that is the key to individual success that leads to the success of the team.
My heart is full because of the heart, character and strength given to us from Martin St. Louis. I admire it. I am grateful I had the honor of witnessing it and I will never forget it. I was shocked he chose not to miss a game and now looking at it I can see how much support and love he got from the team which is helping him through a difficult time. I'm proud of the response. These guys are special.
Now onto Henrik. Let's face it, today is all about our King. To think I was deeply disturbed during the Philly series to see a comment on here where a long time fan said he was "sick of Henrik's sub par playoff performances" and actually suggested starting Cam. And on that same day another Rangers blogger called Henrik average. Well that sub par average goalie turned in his typical playoff heroics to lead this team to franchise history. He slammed the door on the Pens in that last 3 games stopping 102 of 105 shots and we beat the Penguins for the first time ever. We came back from a 3-1 deficit for the first time ever and THE KING is not only the King of NY but he is the King of game 7. He has now won 5 consecutive game 7's and has not allowed more than 1 goal in any of them. If that's a "sub par" or "average" playoff performance then I would like to see the goalies in the world of these Lundqvist critics because they must look an awful lot like Jesus Christ!
Anyway, thanks to the NHL and their made up schedule conflicts the Rangers get a chance to rest up for the next series. Next round is another original six match up in these playoffs so there will be plenty of history and bad blood. It should be fun. Lets Go Rangers!
Lunqvist had a performance for the ages. And he was helped by a total team effort. I give a ton of credit to the coach, AV, whose settled, confident style, and "positive reinforcement" brings out the best in his players. A case in point is Brian Boyle. A player I've given up on, but who has raised his game in the playoffs. Looking forward to the Rangers finally breaking the Montreal curse and going to the finals.