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New York Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist WCH Performance

By Michael Monti |
Sep 20, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Team Sweden goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) gestures to fans after recording a shutout in a 2-0 win over Team Finland during preliminary round play in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Team Sweden goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) gestures to fans after recording a shutout in a 2-0 win over Team Finland during preliminary round play in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers best player has been counted on by his national team, Sweden, to be as good for them as he’s been for the Blueshirts. How did he react to the challenge?

Cool, calm and collective.

Everything you could have ask for from Henrik Lundqvist in his first competitive game back since his early playoff departure. As Lundqvist made saves on scrambles in front, you could sense the nerves from the fans of the Blueshirts hoping their goalie doesn’t get hurt.

Whether it was the eye injury or an undisclosed injury, New York Rangers fans could tell you that “The King” was not himself while facing the Pittsburgh Penguins. Letting goals in that we don’t see Henrik give up.

Fast Forward to the World Cup of Hockey…

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Lundqvist missed the first game for team Sweden against team Russia, but for team Sweden, Jacob Markstrom would hold off Alex Ovechkin and the Russians with 27 saves in a 2-1 victory.

The big story was how would Lundqvist and Sweden respond while playing against Finland, a team that would be playing for their chance to remain relevant in the tournament.

For Lundqvist, he made a few big saves in the first period. One, stopping Mikael Granlund, and a second save robbing Teuvo Teravainen on the doorstep.

Former Ranger Anton Stralman gave Sweden the lead at 9:57 of the second, and the rest was for Lundqvist.

Stralman took a tripping penalty with under a minute to go in the second. While shorthanded, the period closed with Lundqvist making an excellent glove save to rob Patrik Laine’s one-time shot.

Sep 20, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Team Sweden goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save against Team Finland during preliminary round play in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY SportsThe third period followed the same flow as the second, the Fins on the attack, while Sweden relied on Lundqvist to bail them out. Lundqvist made the saves he had to, to keep it a one-goal game. He also made some saves in the closing minutes that had the opposing players looking up to the rafters.
Sep 20, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Team Sweden goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save against Team Finland during preliminary round play in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY SportsThe third period followed the same flow as the second, the Fins on the attack, while Sweden relied on Lundqvist to bail them out. Lundqvist made the saves he had to, to keep it a one-goal game. He also made some saves in the closing minutes that had the opposing players looking up to the rafters. /

Lundqvist had two stops on the captain of team Finland, Mikko Koivu, twice in the third period. Koivu was set up by teammate Olli Maatta; Lundqvist would rob Koivu alone on the doorstep. Koivu’s second attempt, just three minutes later, would be a tip attempt that went wide. Loui Eriksson would score on an empty net and Sweden went on to win 2-0, Lundqvist had a 36 save shutout.

Pre-Tournament Games grade: C

It is safe to say the Lundqvist we saw in net against Finland was the Lundqvist we all were hoping to see in this tournament. Not the Lundqvist we saw in the first two pre-tournament games, where he gave up eight goals on 36 shots.

Post Finland Grade: A

Lundqvist started the tournament the same way he usually begins the New York Rangers’ season; a little off and slow. Most of the time, the first few games of the regular season are usually slow, and you’d often see a bit more goals given than normal.

However, his first time in a meaningful game, he looked to be as sharp as he could be. Saving everything and anything that Finland threw in his direction. He looked calm, relaxed, and did not panic when things started to breakdown in front of him.

Post North America Game: B

For Lundqvist and team Sweden, the start of today’s game was the worst the

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start they could’ve had. Team North America played fast, and before you knew it, it was 2-0 North America. Lundqvist and the team fought back to make it 3-1 at the end of the first.

Lundqvist not only six breakaways in the game, but he also had to face a penalty shot in the first five minutes of action. Three out of the first 15 shots he faced would find the back of the net.

Nonetheless, for a remainder of the game Sweden and Lundqvist would calm down, and Hank still had to make some big saves in the second, third, and even the overtime period, one on Connor McDavid. Nate MacKinnon would score on North America’s sixth breakaway of the game. Team Sweden would lose 4-3 in overtime.

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However, despite the start, Lundqvist, still looked like the Lundqvist the New York Rangers organization loves to see. He earned a “B” in this game because he was able to turn around his play and help Sweden, despite the loss, advance to the next round.

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