No one expected the 205th overall draft pick in 2000 to amount to anything in the NHL. Nonetheless, Henrik Lundqvist has broken some records over the last 12 years. Some NHL records, and some personal accomplishments.
The New York Rangers and New York Islanders established in 1971, since then fans have had hatred for each other, and each franchise. Even more so for Rangers fans when the Islanders went on to win four Staley Cup championships from 1980-84.
Following the 2004-05 lockout, the goaltender situation was in question for the Rangers. With Kevin Weeks starting the first few games of the year and Lundqvist making a few appearances until his game proved he could be a number one goaltender.
For the Islanders, they had the first overall pick from the 2000 draft in net, Rick DiPetro. However, that wasn’t going to be a deciding factor when it came to goaltending because Lundqvist proved that even though he was picked 204 picks later, he wasn’t going to make things easy.
The Rangers will travel to Brooklyn to take on the Islanders, as they look to add history to the rivalry. Lundqvist, recently off his 400th career win. So, without further adieu, let’s take a look at the Top 5 Islanders moments in the career of Henrik Lundqvist.