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King Henrik’s five greatest moments with the New York Rangers

By Scott Esposito

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 29: Henrik Lundqvist #30 and Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers celebrates after defeating the Montreal Canadiens in Game Six to win the Eastern Conference Final in the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 29, 2014 in New York City.Rangers defeated the Candiens 1-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 29: Henrik Lundqvist #30 and Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers celebrates after defeating the Montreal Canadiens in Game Six to win the Eastern Conference Final in the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 29, 2014 in New York City.Rangers defeated the Candiens 1-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Henrik Lundqvist celebrates after his team won the 2006 Winter Olympic ice hockey gold medal (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images) /

# 5 “The King” begins his reign

Lundqvist’s rookie season of 2005-06 was a sign of better days ahead for the Rangers, who missed the playoffs in seven straight seasons up to the lockout that canceled the 2004-05 campaign.

“The King”, just 23, posted a 30-12-9 record, 2.24 GAA, .912 Sv%, and two shutouts. He was among the top vote-earners for the Vezina (third), Calder (fourth), and Hart (ninth) trophies. Calgary Flames’ goalie Miikka Kiprusoff won the Vezina, while Washington Capitals’ wing Alex Ovechkin earned the Calder, and San Jose Sharks’ center Joe Thornton captured the Hart.

Although he just missed winning a league award, Lundqvist eclipsed Jim Henry and Johnny Bower for most wins by a Rangers’ rookie. Henry and Bower each won 29 times in their respective first seasons of 1941-42 and 1953-54.

Lundqvist also won the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award (established by the Rangers following the 1987-88 season). McDonald was a lifelong Rangers fan and New York City Police Department patrolman who was shot and paralyzed in the line of duty on July 12, 1986. The shooting left him a quadriplegic until his death on January 10, 2017.

Lundqvist won his second Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award in 2018.

Next up: a major award.

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