New York Rangers: Top 5 Islanders Moments in Henrik Lundqvist’s Career
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.
5. First Win Against the Islanders
The rivalry the Rangers and Islanders died down in the early 2000s. With both teams struggling to get into the postseason, these games didn’t have much of an impact.
However, following the 2004-05 lockout, the Rangers had one of their best teams in years and were predicted to make it to the playoffs. When Lundqvist showed the City of New York how he could perform in net, the hope turned into a reality.
Just like his NHL career, it took Lundqvist two tries to pick up his first victory over the Islanders. Following a 3-2 overtime loss the first time around, Lundqvist collected the 3-1 win on October 27, 2005.
Lundqvist finished the game stopping 32 of the 33 shots on net. His performance showed the NHL that he was going to make a name for himself, along with making the Rangers a team to fear within the years to come.
4. First Overtime Win
The start of the 2006-07 season against the Islanders is probably the second thing the Rangers would like to forget. The first, being swept last season, then the first three games of 2006-07 losing them by a combined 14-7.
Lundqvist lost two of the three games. In those two games, as he gave up seven goals, a feature at the time that wasn’t Lundqvist-like. Nonetheless, that didn’t bother the team or Lundqvist when they met for the fourth time that season.
Lundqvist and the Rangers would walk out of the Nassau Coliseum with a 3-2 shootout win. Despite stopping 29 of 30, everyone knows Lundqvist would have rather won in regulation or overtime rather than in a shootout. However, a win is a win, and you have to take them how they come in the NHL.
3. Overtime Shutout Victory
It takes a lot to shutout a team in the NHL. It is a full team effort, starting with your goaltender being on top of his game. Lundqvist’s career-high in shutouts came during the 2010-11 season, 11 shutouts.
One of his most memorable came on the night of April 13th, 2013. This overtime shutout isn’t a shutout gained because both goalies made it to the shootout without giving up a goal. Lundqvist was able to make one more stop in the overtime period than Evgeni Nabokov.
The Rangers went on the win 1-0 in overtime off a Dan Girardi goal. Lundqvist played spectacular in the game. Stopping all 29 shots, he faced keeping the game tied, even though the Rangers were getting outshot.
The shutout was one of his two for the season. But the win was a big win for the Rangers.
2. Stadium Series Win
The Stadium Series was a great concept.
The Rangers went into the Stadium Series game with a 7-3 win over the Devils in the first game. The second game the Rangers took on the Islanders. This game was the Rangers third outdoor game in two years.
Despite falling behind 1-0 in the second period, the Rangers fought back and scored twice. Goals by Benoit Pouliot and Dan Carcillo gave the Rangers the 2-1 win. The Rangers would sweep the Stadium Series.
Lundqvist played as only Lundqvist could, outstanding. Stopping 30 of 31, Lundqvist would continue to stay undefeated in the outdoor games (3-0). Besides the outdoor record, Lundqvist continued to add wins against the Islanders to his resume.
1. 30th Career Win
Lundqvist has won 30 or more games in 10 out of 11 seasons played in the NHL. The only season he didn’t win 30+ came in the lockout-shortened season. However, he also has 30 wins over some of the teams biggest rivals.
On October 16, 2016, the Rangers beat the Islanders in the home opener. Adding the Islanders to the list, according to Elias Sports Bureau Inc., of teams Lundqvist has collected 30 or more wins over. The two other rivals on the list are the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers.
Adding to the feature, Elias also says Lundqvist is one of three goalies to have accomplished this. Marc-Andre Fleury and Ryan Miller are also on this list. Even more impressive is Lundqvist has it against three teams.
Next: Raanta an Option for the Golden Knights
Lundqvist can add a game to this accomplishment on Thurday night when the Rangers travel to Brooklyn and take on the Islanders.