In what was possibly his best game of the season, Henrik Lundqvist dominated the Los Angeles Kings in route to a New York Rangers home win.
- New York Rangers 3 (31-16-1, 63 pts)
- Los Angeles Kings 2 (22-21-4, 48 pts)
- NHL, Final, Box Score
- Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
What mattered was the way No. 30 actually played in net.
Henrik Lundqvist wasn’t his same washed-up self he’s been showcasing for much of the season. From opening puck-drop, The King was equipped with a swagger New York Rangers fans became accustomed to for most of his brilliant career.
Whenever his team needed a stop in a big spot, Hank was there. His 36 total saves couldn’t even begin to describe how on point the guy was. There were far too many big saves to count when it came to the Kings putting pressure on in key spots.
A few sequences had the Garden faithful blurting out that familiar chant we haven’t heard much of this season, “Henrik, Henrik, Henrik.”
Hank makes stellar saves look so easy. #LAKvsNYR pic.twitter.com/QaL14U2Rk3
— NHL (@NHL) January 24, 2017
He didn’t do it alone, however.
Without Kevin Hayes and Jesper Fast, New York’s offense remained solid. Matt Puempel, who made his return from a concussion, did so in style. He added his sixth of the season 13:28 into the second period to extend his team’s lead to 2-0.
Puempel in it home to give the Rangers the 2-0 lead over the Kings. #NYR pic.twitter.com/nRYWL7wnWi
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) January 24, 2017
It was a beauty spearheaded by Dan Girardi and later Derek Stepan.
The first goal-scorer of the night was Brandon Pirri, who capitalized on a brutal Kings’ turnover.
A BAD giveaway by the Kings leads to a Brandon Pirri snipe. 1-0 #NYR. pic.twitter.com/lUF1Xb6HA2
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) January 24, 2017
At one point in the game, the Rangers were being outshot 12-2 while holding a 1-0 lead. Alain Vigneault shook up the lines and much to his delight, it worked.
The feel good goal came from Mats Zuccarello who put one to the back of the net for the first time in 16 games. He was set up by a tremendous individual effort by J.T. Miller.
My boy, your boy, the boy the Blue Seats love, J.T. Miller, makes this one happen. Zucc, 3-1 #NYR. pic.twitter.com/6nORrMwd13
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) January 24, 2017
Zuc’s goal turned out to be the game-winner thanks to the last-second goal from Kyle Clifford. L.A.’s other tally came from Jordan Nolan near the end of the second period.
Though Lundqvist faced 38 shots, New York’s defense was solid. By no means was it tremendous. At times the future hall of fame goalie needed to bail his squad out, but it was certainly something welcomed by Rangers fans who’ve gotten all over their goalie this season.
Now sitting with the second-most wins in the NHL, the Rangers will turn their attention to the Philadelphia Flyers, a team that’ll visit Manhattan for a Wednesday Night Rivalry matchup — the last contest prior to the NHL All-Star break.
Kevin Klein doing what he HAD to do – something the #NYR need more of. pic.twitter.com/rTMN8Bnrp5
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) January 24, 2017
