The Rangers can thank their goalie for today's comeback 2-1 shootout win in Boston. Henrik Lundqvist was once again brilliant in allowing only one goal on 41 shots. The Swedish netminder has been the best NHL goalie for over two months now. It continued today.
With his team not as sharp, the second-year Swedish netminder made some very difficult saves to keep them alive. Down one late, none was bigger than the robbery of ex-Ranger Aaron Ward. While flat on his back sprawled out, he got a pad on a Ward shot ticketed for the top of the net. If that goes in, it's goodnight because that's how tough Boston backup Joey MacDonald was to beat. The Bruins also played much better in front of him than they did last week in that 7-0 St. Patty's Day destruction at MSG.
Lundqvist (40 saves) allowed his team to find a way to steal two points. And when Thomas Pock ripped home a point shot with 100 seconds left for his first goal since October 10, it gave them a huge boost. Lundqvist continued his clutch play late in OT, thwarting Zdeno Chara in front on a Bruins' man-advantage.
The game would go to a shootout. And after Michael Nylander and Patrice Bergeron split goals the first two rounds, team captain Jaromir Jagr would step up and come through by powering one thru MacDonald's five-hole to put the Rangers in front. Lundqvist would then force rookie Phil Kessel wide to give the Blueshirts a huge two points.
It was their fourth straight win and kept them in seventh with 85 points. Two more than the Islanders have after posting their second win in a row by getting an Andy Hilbert tally with less than five minutes left in Philly.
That sets up a critical match-up at Nassau Coliseum tomorrow afternoon at 12:30 PM on NBC between the two bitter rivals. Plenty will be at stake.
For more on the Rangers' big win, please check out our recap:
King Henrik Steals Two Points In Boston
Covering the Rangers, Devils, Islanders and Sabres five years running along with the rest of the puckers!
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2 comments:
The Swedish netminder has been the best NHL goalie for over two months now
He was very good today, but how can you possibly think he's been better than Luongo over the past two months?
:-)
Luongo has been great and will be up for the Vezina and get some MVP votes. Not taking anything away from his performance. ;)
But Lundqvist has the best GAA since mid-January and a gaudy save percentage in leading his team back into the playoff picture.
After his 40 save performance yesterday, he lowered his GAA to 2.33 with a .916 save percentage.
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