New York Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist’s Top 5 Moments Against the Devils
Rivalries are made, not born. The rivalry could be based on location or recent playoff meetings. For the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils, it’s a rivalry that started back in 1982. Memorable moments provided to the tri-state from the rivalry. Rather it was in the regular season or the playoffs.
For years the Devils had successful runs in the playoffs. Starting with their goaltender Martin Brodeur and their three Stanley Cup Championships in 1994-95, 1999-00 and 2002-03.
Single season success adds to a rivalry. The Rangers have had success against the Devils in the 237 meetings (113-89-27-8). Yes, the 27 represents ties.
It wasn’t until after the lockout the Rangers found their future goaltender. For the years to follow, the Rangers and Devils matchups turned into a Henrik Lundqvist and Brodeur showdown. Both goaltenders were proving that teams could rely on their netminders.
With the Metropolitan Division being as tight as it is, every point counts. The Rangers head across the Hudson River to take on the Devils tonight. With that in mind, here are the top five in Henrik Lundqvist’s career against the Devils.
5. First Career Win Against Devils
It wasn’t until the 2005-06 season the Rangers were looking in need of a new goaltender. Kevin Weekes and Henrik Lundqvist were going to split time. Neither Weekes or Lundqvist were named the team’s starting goalie, despite Weekes starting opening night.
Lundqvist had no apprenticeships, his first game in the NHL came against the Devils back on October 8, 2005. Despite the 3-2 overtime loss, Lundqvist played well. However, in the losing effort, he turned heads both the fans and the coaching staff.
In just his second game in the NHL, on October 13th, 2005, Lundqvist faced the Devils again. This time, he was victorious. Winning 4-1. Lundqvist stopped 20 of 21 shots, winning his first NHL game.
4. Playoff Revenge
Following the lockout, the Rangers and the Devils met in the playoffs for the 2005-06 season. It was a highly anticipated matchup, as it marked the Rangers’ first playoff appearance since the 1996-97 season. For the Rangers fans, it was a playoff series they would like to forget, as the Blueshirts lost in four games.
In the 2007-08 opening round the Rangers met up with the Devils again with revenge on their minds. The series provided us with a little bit of everything. The continuous battle between Sean Avery and Brodeur, leading up to “The Avery” rule, as well as Brodeur not shaking Avery’s hand in the post-series handshake line.
The most important part of the series; the Rangers came out on top (4-1), with the lone loss in overtime. Although they won the series in Devils territory, Rangers fans in attendance made their voices heard as only they can.
3. Stadium Series Win
In 2014, the Rangers and Devils rivalry took a new twist, playing outdoors at Yankee Stadium. An even weirder twist to the game was the Devils, not the Rangers, were the home team.
It was the Devil’s first ever outdoor game, which may have given the Rangers, veterans of the 2012 Winter Classic an advantage. Lundqvist and the Rangers won their first outdoor game against the Flyers, in 2012 and their second outdoor game, a 7-3 win over the Devils and Brodeur.
The win added another notch in the belt of Lundqvist, for wins against the Devils, against Brodeur, and in outdoor games. It also sent the cold Rangers fans home happy, as they saw their team defeat the enemy.
2. 50th Career Shutout
Whenever the Rangers and the Devils faced off, it would turn into a Brodeur vs. Lundqvist duel. Their meeting on March 22, 2014, was another one of those games.
Lundqvist started the game with a breakaway save on Jaromír Jágr early in the first period and for the rest of the period, he and Brodeur would match each other save for save. The second period was much of the same, both goalies making saves until Rick Nash scored giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead.
The third period had more of the same, and with under a minute left in the game, Lundqvist would make a few saves at the goal line that went under review. The call on the ice remained no goal, and the Rangers scored an empty-net goal to secure the 2-0 win.
Lundqvist passed Mike Richter for sole possession of the team’s record for wins as a Ranger (301) less than a week prior. He collected his fifth shutout of the season, but this one was more special than the rest. Lundqvist surpassing Eddie Giacomin for to take sole possession of the team’s shutout.
This ended up being the last Lundqvist vs. Brodeur matchup; the win made Lundqvist’s record against Brodeur 26-10-5.
1. Milestone Victory
Lundqvist recently collected career win 400, in a 4-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche, making him the fastest goalie to reach this accomplishment.
Before his 400th career win, Lundqvist tied Dominik Hasek for most career wins as a European-born goalie. His victims, the New Jersey Devils. Lundqvist would pass Hasek in wins, at the hands of the Avalanche two games later.
Despite his early season struggles, Lundqvist and the Rangers were able to fight back and defeat the Devils 3-2 in a shootout. It wasn’t the best of games, as the Rangers tied it late in the third period.
The win in the shootout probably isn’t how Lundqvist would have wanted to collect this accomplishment, but a win is a win.
Next: New York Rangers’ Best Games to Watch in our Recent History
Saturday the Rangers head to the Prudential Center to take on the Devils. For Lundqvist, he looks to add to his career accomplishments against the franchise.