New York Rangers Need to Get Lundqvist a Cup… Preferably Now

The New York Rangers have Lundqvist locked up in a contract through 2020, but the team owes Henrik Lundqvist a Cup, and this year have the potential to get him one.

Henrik Lundqvist has become a franchise player for the New York Rangers. He was drafted by the Rangers in 2000, made his NHL debut for the team in 2004 and has played all 12 seasons of his career in New York.

Lundqvist is arguably the most important player on the roster, serving as the foundation of the defense. While the Rangers have struggled in the defensive end in the past few seasons, Lundqvist has remained a steady presence in the net.

The 35-year-old will likely be a hall-of-fame goaltender regardless of whether or not he ever wins a Stanley Cup, but with all of the work he has put in, he absolutely deserves one.

Related Story: Henrik Lundqvist Can Carry the Rangers Once Again

Looking Back: Why Hank deserves a Cup

Lundqvist is one of the best NHL goaltenders in the league upon entering the playoffs. The Rangers first round win over Montreal on Saturday marked the Rangers fifth second round playoff appearance in six years.

Additionally, in this same span with Lundqvist, the Rangers have made the Conference Finals twice (2012 and 2015) and the Cup Finals once (2014).

In years past, the New York Rangers’ goaltender has had a huge impact in the postseason, specifically in elimination games.

In his 112 games in the playoffs over the last 11 years, Lundqvist has faced 3,611 shots and has allowed just 279 goals. He has a total .923 save percentage and a goals-against average of 2.25.

In elimination games, he is even better.

Since 2012, the Rangers won 15 of 19 games where they were facing elimination, and a large part of this success is a result of the performance of their goaltender. According to Infogr.am.com, Lundqvist has a .946 save percentage and a goals-against average of 1.70 when the Rangers have faced elimination.

Bottom line is that when you have Lundqvist as your last line of defense, you always rely on him to keep you in the game.

Right Now: Why Hank deserves a Cup

Lundqvist has silenced critics who questioned how he would perform in the playoffs and has given his team another shot at a run for the Stanley Cup.

While his regular season was highlighted by high highs and low lows, Lundqvist has effectively pulled everything together and has been tremendous for the Rangers in thus far in the postseason.

Some of Lundqvist’s lows included being benched for four games in December in favor of backup goaltender Antti Raanta, who looked more comfortable when compared to Lundqvist in his starts during the regular season. Additionally, in January, Lundqvist allowed 16 goals in three games in losses to Toronto, Montreal and Dallas.

Related Story: New York Rangers: 5 Reasons They Defeated Montreal in Round 1

However, Lundqvist followed up both of these performances with highs. When Lundqvist returned to the lineup in December, he allowed three goals in three games and won his next three starts. After January’s debacle, the Rangers won eight of the following 10 games with Lundqvist in net and he registered a .939 save percentage through those games.

Lundqvist had more than 30 wins in the regular season for the 11th time in his 12 years with the Rangers. On Feb. 11, 2017, he won his won his 400th NHL game and since then has moved to 10th place on the league’s all-time wins list now sitting at 405.

In the six games the New York Rangers played against Montreal in the first round of the playoffs, Lundqvist recorded a .947 save percentage and had a 1.70 goals-against average. In Game One, he recorded his tenth career shutout in the playoffs, the most of any active goaltender in the NHL.

Related Story: Top Five Moments of the First Round

The 2016-17 Rangers can be the team to do it

The fact that Lundqvist solidified his play upon entering the postseason — alongside a Rangers offense with solid depth and a defense that is stepping up despite their issues during the regular season — has given the Rangers another shot at a Cup.

While the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook predicts that the Rangers have a 25 and 1 chance of winning the Stanley Cup, anything can happen in the playoffs.

Though Lundqvist plays a huge role in the Rangers’ postseason success, the pressure is on for the 18 skaters that play in front of him. And while some of the pressure falls on the offense to execute, the heavier burden falls on the Rangers the six defensemen.

The Rangers will face a challenge with an Ottawa offense that was dangerous in the first round of the playoffs, and the defense will be vital to ensuring that Lundqvist can be successful.

They will need to continue to be aggressive along the boards, block shot opportunities off the point and overall play responsibly as possible to give Lundqvist the clearest, easiest saves possible.

Final Thoughts

2017 would be a great year for the Rangers to win a Stanley Cup.

Though the odds for the team seem slim, with the right mix of positive offensive and defensive play happening on the ice for the Rangers, Henrik Lundqvist could finally reach a goal that he has come so close to in years past.

And if it doesn’t happen this year, there is no way that this will be Lundqvist’s last run.

If there is one thing for sure, it’s that there is no player on the Rangers roster that is harder on himself than Henrik Lundqvist. This drive toward greatness is something that will make Lundqvist a threat through the rest of his career.

Next: New York Rangers: Comparing 2017 to Previous Playoff Contestants

He has proven that he is an elite goaltender, one that will go down in history with or without a Cup.

Preferably with one.