New York Rangers: Five troubling early season signs

The King?

Last season was the worst statistically of Henrik Lundqvist’s career. This year the King has shown some troubling signs. Forget giving up nine goals in the first five periods of the season. Forget the shutout of the Canadiens the night after being pulled in Toronto after two periods. For Hank the worry isn’t in the numbers this year.

What has been worrisome is Lundqvist rebound control and some soft goals he has let up early on this year. In the first game of the season, the game winning goal from the Avalanche was entirely Lundqvist fault. In game two he let in a couple soft goals against the Maple Leafs. That was a problem all of last year that Rangers fans haven’t been accustomed to with Lundqvist. The normally sure handed goaltender doesn’t look as sure handed any more.

Equally troubling has been the inability of Lundqvist to handle what seem to be fairly routine shots. Sure he has been stopping these pucks, but it looks like he is fighting it. There have been multiple occasions where a rebound that wasn’t controlled has lead to a quality chance for the opposition.

Lundqvist has bounced back time and time again in his career, but to see last years problems manifest so early this year isn’t the most comfortable feeling for the Ranger faithful.