Since his rookie season in 2005-2006, the New York Rangers have enjoyed the run that Lundqvist has been on. Here are some top moments during the King’s 10-year reign on Broadway.
- Collaboration between Chris Wengert and Patrick Comia
By ESNY Staff
By now you probably could guess a handful of them.
Matteau, Matteau, Matteau, Stephane Matteau has been an icon ever since he propelled the Rangers to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1994.
Mark Messier will never buy a drink in New York City again after he guaranteed and delivered a victory in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New Jersey Devils.
Mike Richter made an amazing stop on a penalty shot against Pavel Bure in the 1994 Finals.
We all cherish these moments and discuss them whenever our New York Rangers are not performing up to par.
Another great moment of Rangers history was when Henrik Lundqvist donned the Ranger sweater for the first time.
But since Lundqvist has become a Ranger, what would you rank as the most memorable Ranger moments?
Here are our Top New York Rangers Moments of the Lundqvist Era.
Three-way Dance With The Devils In The Pale Moonlight: March 19th, 2012
Why not start with one of the most heated rivalries in the New York-area?
Aside from the Islanders getting every Rangers fan blood boiling when the two get together, the Rangers-Devils matchups are always entertaining.
What makes these two teams standout more is that their bad blood boil spawned from postseason action. Every Rangers fan is familiar with the feelings of elation in the Eastern Conference Finals in 1994. Vanquishing a young rookie netminder in Martin Brodeur, only to fall to him in the proceeding years in the Hudson River Rivalry.
On this night, the Rangers’ playoff lives were on the line. They needed a win over New Jersey to secure a spot in the postseason.
Dave Lazzo of NHL.com described what unfolded at center ice:
The Rangers’ Mike Rupp, Brandon Prust and Stu Bickel fought Eric Boulton, Cam Janssen and Ryan Carter, respectively, in a scene out of “Slap Shot” that played out to the delight of 18,200 fans. Carter left the ice bloodied after his bout, and Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador received a 10-minute misconduct for trying to pull Bickel off Carter after the pair fell to the ice and Bickel continued to throw punches…As the visiting team, the Devils must declare their lineup first. The Rangers countered with their tough guys and had Dubinsky, a forward, lined up as a defenseman to allow Bickel to move up to forward…Rangers coach John Tortorella was shown by NBCSN cameras shouting in the direction of Devils coach Peter DeBoer after the fracas…
The Garden Chants of ‘CAN YOUR HEAR US’: April 21st, 2011
Oh those “lovable” Washington Capitals? Perhaps the one team that is looking for validation in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
They have the annoying horn, they rock the red, and their fans get all up in arms when something happens to one of their players. This is just reinfoced by their superstar Alex Ovechkin, who has been a force on the ice that his teammates and city have rallied behind.
His fire and determination have helped fuel their presence in the Eastern Conference.
That is why it is always satisfying for Rangers fans to watch them fall in the postseason. They try, yet come up short.
On this night, it is satisfaction served with a smile. Former Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau had been behind the bench in Washington for three seasons.
His Capitals team had met the Blueshirts previously in the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, beating them 4-3.
With a two games to none control of this playoff series, the series shifted to New York for Games Three and Four. Boudreau’s team could sweep New York and send them to an early exit out of the postseason. However, on this night, the beast was awoken in Madison Square Garden.
After losing 3-2 in Game Three, Boudreau must have been a bit ticked off at how they could have had the Rangers on the ropes with a previous win. His comments postgame about Madison Square Garden were not flattering, in any way.
Dan Steinberg of washingtonpost.com quoted the former Capitals coach when he appeared on a radio station:
“Well, the one thing, its reputation is far better than the actual building…I mean, it’s nothing. The locker rooms are horrible. The benches are horrible. There’s no room for anything. But the reputation of being in Madison Square Garden is what makes it famous. Also, our building’s a lot louder, too. So I mean, they can say what they want, but it’s not that loud in there.”
In Game Four of the series, the Rangers and their fans took a commanding 3-0 lead into the second period. With the Garden Faithful serenading Broudreau, all things looked right for the Rangers.
Unfortunately, the Capitals would storm back with four goals to win the game, and go up 3-1 in the series.
Despite the outcome, Boudreau did no favors for himself trying to win the hearts of Rangers fans with his criticism. He probably still has a hard time finding a cab around Madison Square Garden.
It wasn’t as big or common as the “POTVIN SUCKS” chant raining from the rafters. But for one night, it was.
Philly Lets Carbomb Know He’s #1: April 22nd, 2014
It was the first postseason appearance under Alain Vigneault. The Rangers opened up their Stanley Cup run, by meeting the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round.
With the two teams splitting the first two games at Madison Square Garden, the series focus shifted to the City of Brotherly Love and Wells Fargo Center.
Former Flyers tough guy Daniel Carcillo found himself in familiar territory. Perhaps one of the players that epitomize the Flyers toughness, Carcillo sat on the opposite bench wearing Rangers blue.
Perhaps his greatest game for New York, he left a unforgettable moment that will remain in the minds of both Rangers and Flyers fans.
In his homecoming, the Blueshirts were all over the Flyers 3-1 through two and half periods. What Carcillo did was icing on the Rangers’ cake. But what Flyers fans did following his goal was even greater: Philadelphia’s own way of showing their appreciation for one of their former players.
Danny-Boy, you will always be “number one” in the eyes of Flyers fans.
Dubinsky’s Crashes Brawl And Hates Gatorade: April 14th, 2012
Remember when Artem Anisimov, Michael Del Zotto, and Ruslan Fedotenko were Rangers?
Those were the days. The transition from the “dark ages” of the 90’s, to the coming of age as a Eastern Conference power. Perhaps, that is one of the favorite periods as a Rangers fan. The blue collar, lunch pale mentality. You work for everything, and earn the rewards though that effort.
Combine that a stern coach in John Tortorella, and you have a Rangers team that worked every night.
Aside from Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky was one that embodied that work ethic. His willingness to get in the middle of everything and protect his teammates is what made him a favorite.
In Game Two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Rangers played host to the Ottawa Senators in Round One.
Some tensions were carried over from the first game with Matt Carkner. In the first period, he takes down Brian Boyle, throwing punch after punch. He takes the big man off his skates, bringing him down to the ice. Carkner proceeds to keep punching, while Boyle is down.
Meanwhile, the referee is right there witnessing the melee. He does nothing but calls a penalty, raising his arm, as he continues watching.
Well, in comes Dubinsky, taking matters into his own hands. He probably thought, “If you’re gonna just stand there and do nothing, I’ll take matters into my own hands.”
He jumps on Carkner and bedlem at the Garden breaks out in a bench-clearning brawl. Dubinsky got a game misconduct for acting on instinct, when no one did anything to stop Carkner.
As Dubi heads off to the locker room, he takes out his frustration on the poor Gatorade cooler, something every Rangers fan who witnessed that felt.
Lundqvist Offers Crosby a Drink: May 11th, 2014
It was the second round of the 2014 Eastern Conference Playoffs, and the Rangers were making a comeback against the Pittsburgh Penguins after being 3-1 down in the series.
Tensions were high on both teams after Pittsburgh had been criticized for dirty play throughout the series, but Henrik Lundqvist avoided most of the drama.
But when Crosby gave Dominic Moore a cheap shot to the groin in Game 6, Lundqvist decided to take matters into his own hands.
A small scruff ensued after the Crosby cheap shot, which ended with Crosby on the top of the pile. Lundqvist skated by Crosby and emptied his water bottle on Crosby’s face (video above).
The best part of the whole incident is how nonchalant Hank is while squirting Crosby.
Lundqvist told Luke Fox of Sportsnet.ca:
“I always squirt it when I go off the ice, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Rupp Salutes the Ageless Wonder/ Lundqvist Denies Briere: January 2nd, 2012
Bridgestone’s Winter Classic in 2012 was special. At least it was to the fans of the Ranges and Flyers.
It was the first time the Blueshirts got their chance to play in the outdoor classic, and they took on one of their rivals, the Broadstreet Bullies.
The game had special meaning cause the both teams were in contention for the playoffs, and were fighting for division supremacy.
After going down two goals early, an unlikely hero emerged that changed the landscape that night. Mike Rupp made a name for himself this game, scoring two goals in a 3-2 victory.
What brings him criticism from the Philly faithful, and perhaps some hockey fans in general, is what he did after his first goal. Rupp was just caught in the moment, being in the middle of the spotlight for everyone to see.
Heck, Jarmoir Jagr has done his patented goal salute 733 times in his career, Rupp once.
Another highlight was a mano y mano penalty shot between Henrik Lundqvist and Daniel Briere.
In the dying seconds of a great game, a mad scramble around the Rangers net occurred. The Flyers needed to tie the game to force things into overtime. An alert Ryan McDonagh saved the game, with a unorthodox means: covering up the puck. However, a penalty shot was awarded to the Flyers that may have made that play a dumb move.
Witht he game on the line and the atmosphere at all-time high, Briere went one on one with the King. Trying to outfake the Rangers netminder, Briere tried to go five-hole. Unfortunately, Lundqvist was there to deny the attempt and save the game.
After making the save, Lundqvist let out his emotions by giving a shoulder shrugg that reverberated in all Rangers fans that night.
Nothing like denying your rival of satisfaction.
Malik’s Claim To Fame: November 26th, 2005
It was the first year following the 2004 lockout, Tom Renney was head coach, Jaromir Jagr was a Ranger, and Henrik Lundqvist was a rookie.
Oh, Alex Ovechkin was also a rookie, but let’s move on.
The NHL was a revamped after the lockout with a shiny new salary cap and new rules.
One of those new rules stated that if both teams were still tied after a five minute overtime period, a shootout would decide the match.
And that is just how this game against the Washington Capitals was to be decided.
Fans have their opinions on shootouts. Some love the entertainment, while purists claim the shootout is a gimmick.
What both parties will agree upon though, is that when a shootout goes 15 rounds things will get interesting.
It is a rarity to see a defensemen in a shootout. These players are known for their physicality and not soft hands.
But in the 15th round against the Washington Capitals and Olaf Kolzig, 6’6 defenseman Marek Malik would prove this theory wrong.
Malik slid the puck right through his legs at the last second and flipped the puck over the left shoulder of Kolzig.
Malik’s reaction was by far the best part, as he raises a hand in the air as to say, “Yep, I just did that”.
Malik described the moment to writer Michael Rappaport of The Hockey Writers:
“When the [shootout] goes on and on, I thought if I had a chance to do it, I do this move, for sure,” Malik said. “Everyone tried all the different things — shots or moves. And I said I think I’m going to surprise him because both goalies were unbelievable that night. I thought they were going to be a little tired, maybe shock him a little bit, and it works to my favor.”
Malik’s unlikely goal was apart of the longest shootout in NHL history until the Washington Capitals and Flordia Panthers broke the record with a 20 round shootout in 2014.
St. Louis Honors His Mother: May 11th, 2014
The best part of watching sports is when a significant event in an athlete’s life inspires greatness.
That is just what happened after Martin St. Louis received a devastating call that his mother passed away.
St. Louis received the call before game five of the 2014 Eastern Conference Semi Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
He was very close with his mother and he describes his relationship in an article he wrote for The Players’ Tribune entitled “Show Them”.
“What my mom gave me was the mental toughness to not let anything stand in the way of my dream.
Every night when she put me to bed as a child, she’d stay in my room for a little while and say the same thing: “Show them! Don’t worry about what they say about your size. Go out there and show them how good you are!”
Here was the thing: I believed her.”
So here was St. Louis, who just lost his beloved mother in the middle of a second round playoff series in which his team was mounting a historic comeback.
Game six was played on Mother’s Day, and what better time for St. Louis to honor his mother.
Four minutes into the game Derek Stepan shot a quick backhand in the slot, which bounced off of Marc-André Fleury.
Still in the air, the puck then rebounded off of St. Louis’s shin pad and into the net. The following celebration was one of loudest that Madison Square Garden saw that spring.
St. Louis describes the moment after the goal:
“As soon as my teammates started skating back to the bench — and I have no idea how — the puck came to my skate and rested right there on the ice in front of me. In that moment, I knew my mom was there. She had helped me score that goal. I felt her with me, smiling down. I’ll never forget that.”
Martin St. Louis will never be remembered as one of the greatest Rangers of all time, but he sure did play with one of the biggest hearts.