Praising Lundqvist

PRAISING LUNDQVIST

January 07, 01:51 PM EST

Henrik Lundqvist has been stellar in goal for the Rangers all season long. In fact, it can be argued that the three-time Vezina Trophy finalist is having his best and most consistent season so far.

Through 29 starts this season, Lundqvist has posted an 18-7-4 record to go along with a miniscule 1.89 goals against average and terrific .939 save percentage. He currently is riding a six-game winning streak, and has allowed two or fewer goals in all but eight of his starts this season. At the start of play Saturday, Lundqvist is ranked 3rd in the NHL in goals against average and save percentage, and tied for fifth in wins and shutouts (3).

And the Rangers No. 1 proved yet again Friday night in Pittsburgh why he is so invaluable to his team.

Playing for a second straight night against a tough opponent on the road, the weary Rangers could have been taken out of this game by the Penguins. But instead Lundqvist steadied his teammates and put forth one of his best games of the season, finishing with 37 saves---his second highest total in 2011-12, as the Rangers found their way to a 3-1 victory.

"Hankie made some unreal saves (last) night, as he does," Brian Boyle said with a laugh. "He's like a well-oiled machine. You just have to give him a lot of credit, I guess, because he's been such a rock for us and just played out of his mind. We don't want him to have to make some of those saves he does, but it's amazing and comforting to know that he does."

After surrendering a goal early in the first period to Ben Lovejoy, Lundqvist slammed the door shut, stopping the final 35 shots he faced, including 13 in each of the final two periods of play.

"We were on our heels, especially early in the game, but you have to give Hank credit, he's a huge part of our team and he kept us in it, as he always does" said Brandon Dubinsky. "Good teams find a way to win when they are not at their best, and Hank helped us to accomplish that, and these are a huge two points for us."

In his last six starts, Lundqvist has surrendered only seven goals, holding the opposition to one or fewer four times in that stretch.