New York Rangers: Top 5 Rangers Teams in the Henrik Lundqvist Era

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Jun 9, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) takes the ice before game three of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final against the Los Angeles Kings at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Henrik Lundqvist has been the man protecting the net for the New York Rangers since the 2005-2006 season. He has been on 12 different New York Rangers teams. This is a list composed of the top 5 New York Rangers teams during the Henrik Lundqvist era.

It’s time for the weekly edition of “Top 5 in the Henrik Lundqvist Era”. This week the list is composed of the best New York Rangers teams during the Henrik Lundqvist era. Since Lundqvist’s rookie year, the Rangers have had some up and down years. Which teams haven’t had up and down years in 12 full seasons though?

After a vast amount of researching and looking back on all of the New York Rangers teams since the 2005-2006 season, this is the list of the top 5 New York Rangers teams during the Henrik Lundqvist era…

Dec 31, 2016; Toronto, ON, Canada; Detroit Red Wings forward Brendan Shanahan (14) is congratulated by forward Martin Lapointe (20) after scoring a goal in the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2017 Rogers NHL Centennial Classic Alumni Game at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2006-2007 New York Rangers –

After exceeding expectations in the previous year, the New York Rangers went out and added long-time Detroit Red Wing Brendan Shanahan, Matt Cullen and Aaron Ward to bring some playoff experience into the lineup.

The Rangers were limping into February and the front office went out and acquired Sean Avery. At the trade deadline, the team had a 29–27–6 record and playoff berth looked grim. With the team still injury-riddled, Henrik Lundqvist held the weight of the team on his shoulders during the second half of the season.

The Rangers went 17-6-6 after the acquisition of Sean Avery and catapulted into a playoff position. The Rangers swept the Atlanta Thrashers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

But that’s all they were able to do, as the team’s season came to an end against the Eastern Conference’stop-seededd Buffalo Sabres. The Rangers were seconds away from taking a 3-2 series lead in Buffalo but Chris Drury tied the game with 7.7 seconds. The Sabres eventually eliminated the Rangers 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

2011-2012 New York Rangers –

In the organization’s 85th season of play, the New York Rangers went out and added Brad Richards to a nine-year contract worth almost $60 million during the off-season. The team also announced that Ryan Callahan would serve as the Rangers 26th captain in team history.

The 2011-2012 Rangers finished the year in first place in the Eastern Conference as well as first in the Atlantic Division (The teams first division title since the 1993-1994 championship season). They became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Rangers faced-off against the Ottawa Senators in the Quarterfinals of the playoffs and defeated them 4-3 in the series. After a hard-fought series with the Senators, the Rangers went the distance with the Washington Capitals too. The Rangers and Capitals went back and forth with wins during the series but the Rangers got the best of the Capitals in the decisive seventh game.

The teams season came to an end in the Eastern Conference final against their Hudson River rivals, the New Jersey Devils. The Rangers lost the series 4-2 on an overtime goal by Adam Henrique.

Feb 21, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Rick Nash (61) controls the puck in front of Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov (79) during overtime at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

2012-2013 New York Rangers –

The year of Rick Nash (And the lockout). During the off-season, the Rangers finally made the blockbuster deal to acquire the coveted scoring winger, Rick Nash. Rangers fans did not get to see him play a hockey game in the home team blue until January 19. The shortened season saw all teams play in 48 games all against their own conference.

At the trade deadline, the Rangers sent Marian Gaborik to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Derick Brassard, John Moore, and Derek Dorsett. The Rangers finished the shortened season with 56 points and secured 6th playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Rangers knocked off the #3 seeded Washington Capitals in a deciding game seven in Washington. The 2012-2013 Rangers finally met their match when they lost to the Boston Bruins 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Feb 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) in action against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Rangers beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 in the shootout. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2014-2015 New York Rangers –

On October 6, the New York Rangers named Ryan McDonagh the 27th captain in franchise history. After coming off a season losing in the Stanley Cup finals, the Rangers were determined to end up back in the Stanley Cup Finals, but with a different end result. During the off-season, the Rangers used their second compliance buyout on Brad Richards.

During the regular season, the Rangers looked like they hadn’t missed a beat from their Stanley Cup run. The team posted a 53-22-7 record for 113 points. This is the most wins and points ever earned by the team, breaking single-season franchise records. The Rangers cruised to their 3rd President’s trophy in franchise history and were ready to make a run as the #1 seed overall in the playoffs.

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Under the new playoff format, the Rangers faced off against the Pittsburgh Penguins who held a wild card position. The Rangers cruised through the Penguins winning the series 4-1. In the 2nd round, the Rangers defeated the Washington Capitals in an overtime game seven at Madison Square Garden.

The Rangers dream season came to an end in another game seven but against the Tampa Bay Lightning this time. The New York Rangers were one game away from heading back to the Stanley Cup finals for a second straight season.

Jun 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Rangers coach Alain Vigneault (left) greets general manager Glen Sather during media day before game one of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

2013-2014 New York Rangers –

After letting former coach John Tortorella go in July of 2013, the New York Rangers brought on Alain Vigneault. In Vigneault’s first season as the Rangers head coach, the team started the season on a nine-game road trip due to renovations on Madison Square Garden. The Rangers finished that road trip with a 3-6-0 record.

In a season in which the Rangers traded their captain, Ryan Callahan for Martin St. Louis. The 2013-2014 Rangers finished the season with 96 points and the 2nd playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division. The Rangers knocked off the Philadelphia Flyers in game seven in their 1st round matchup. In the 2nd round, the Rangers went up against the Pittsburgh Penguins in which they battled back from being down 3-1 in the series to win the series 4-3.

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Next up: The Eastern Conference finals against the Montreal Canadians. The team took care of business, winning the series 4-2 and were heading to their first Stanley Cup final appearance since they won the cup in 1994.

Unfortunately, this Stanley Cup final didn’t end like the one in 1994. The Kings and Rangers battled in three overtime games including two of them in double overtime. The 2013-2014 Rangers finished their season losing 4-1 in the Stanley Cup finals to the Los Angeles Kings.

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