Can Henrik Lundqvist emerge from another slump?
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — When Henrik Lundqvist arrived at the New York Rangers' practice facility Monday, there was a new pair of goalie pads waiting for him.
The 34-year-old immediately began to break them in, and said he might even don the new pads in Tuesday's home game against the Dallas Stars. Just don't chalk it up to superstition.
To solve his struggles — perhaps the worst stretch of his storied career — Lundqvist isn't relying on any old hockey beliefs. Instead, he stayed late after practice to face countless skaters on breakaways and hopes to "respond in a good way."
Lundqvist has allowed four or more goals in all but one of his past five appearances. During his last outing, he was pressed into relief action and surrendered five goals on just 22 shots.
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"You don't want to overthink it or overdo it," Lundqvist said following practice. "There's been some good games and then the last two (at home), I don't think I've played bad, but I haven't come up with the big saves at the right time. And sometimes that's the difference."
With talented backup Antti Raanta probably sidelined until after the All-Star break, coach Alain Vigneault said "King Henrik" will be given an opportunity to start every game in an effort to re-establish the consistency the Rangers seek.
These are uncharted waters for one of the preeminent faces of the NHL. The 2006 Olympic gold medalist has a 2.72 goals against average along with a .907 save percentage through 31 games. Since he took over the Rangers' net in 2005, he has never posted a campaign with such poor numbers.
Vigneault wouldn't reveal what Lundqvist is working on to break out of his slump, but said "there are definite" issues he and goaltending coach Benoit Allaire identified. If the Rangers are finally going to get over the hump — they stand fourth in the Metropolitan Division with 57 points but hold the top wild-card spot — Lundqvist must lead the way.
"Hank's played some real great hockey for us this year in some games, and in some other games he hasn't been as consistent," Vigneault said. "That's the issue right now. But the body of work that he's had throughout his career tells us he's going to find the answer and become the goaltender that we know."
Vigneault admitted the team must tighten up on defense to help Lundqvist, but also maintained no matter the situation, the Rangers are "looking for the timely save."
This isn't the first time this season Lundqvist endured a rough patch. There was a stretch that began in November and stretched into December when he allowed 18 goals in six games. Following the last of those, Lundqvist sat while Raanta took over. Lundqvist started three consecutive games and won all of them with three goals against total.
Make no mistake, though: this is Lundqvist's team. It might not be for long, though, if Lundqvist still is struggling when Raanta returns next month.
Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh, the team's top defenseman, knows the unit has been a problem and is unhappy with the way opposing forwards have been able to set up shop in front of the net. McDonagh hopes the team can clean up the crease with box-outs to stop the deflections and screens.
He also attributes much of the struggles to puck luck and pointed to a shot that caromed off his own stick during a loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs last week.
"Sometimes they happen in waves," McDonagh said. "The bounces have been going against him a little bit here. His time will come. ... We let him know that we have his back and we're doing everything we can in front of him to play the way we need to play to try to win a game.
"If you let up those grade-A looks on a consistent basis, it's definitely going to be tough for any goalie to keep the puck out of the back of the net. We have to be better in front of him and definitely let him see the puck."
No matter the true reason for his setback, Lundqvist knows he's counted on to bring the Rangers their first Stanley Cup since 1994. He won't be too hard on himself and he won't turn to superstition. He knows where the solution lies.
"I have to continue to work hard here in practice and try to improve," Lundqvist said. "Just work hard and try to be positive even though it was a challenging week. You try to start over starting with tomorrow. Just focus on the first period and get a good start."
