New York Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist is their Man

New York Rangers coach Alain Vigneault laughed off a question by New York Post writer Larry Books about whether Henrik Lundqvist would be starting in net for Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Vigneault simply answered yes saying “Hank’s the guy.”

I get it, and by that I mean Vigneault’s standpoint. Why would you go with backup Cam Talbot when you have an Olympic medal-winning, world-class goaltender like Lundqvist as your starting netminder.

But this is a critical point for the Rangers. If they drop tonight’s game, they will be down 3-1—something that has already happened to them this postseason. While they advanced by battling their way back against the Washington Capitals last round, it is not the position they want to be in yet again, especially with the way the Botls have been finding the back of the net.

What is so wrong about putting Talbot in? Lundqvist has given up 12 goals in two games. Yes, he has had games like this before and yes, he has bounced back, but he hasn’t played well against the team that resembles the Rangers in ways. And by that I mean resilient. The Bolts, like the Rangers, are resilient, unrelenting, young and hungry for the Cup.

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There is no arguing that the Rangers need a boost, something to give them life, something to motivate them, ANYTHING to be able to shutdown Tampa’s dangerous forwards. So, why can’t that boost come from Talbot?

He was extraordinary for most of the season and in Lundqvist’s absence. Hank, in this series, has been anything but. He has been mediocre. He has given up soft goals. He has had trouble with Tampa all season long. So it’s time for a change.

According to Brooks’ article:

"“More than once and more than twice Lundqvist admitted that he’d had trouble with his decision-making against the Lightning because of their elite skilled players’ ability to make plays and find openings at top speed in the most dangerous areas of the ice.“It seemed as if Lundqvist, who has allowed five goals or more to Tampa Bay in four of his six starts against them this year including the regular season (4.75 GAA, .840 save pct., 1-5-0), was second-guessing himself, wondering when it was the right time to be patient, when to challenge, when to be deep, and maybe even how to be all things goaltender all at once.”"

Lundqvist’s confidence is shaken and that means Tampa is going to try and unleash the fury of its offense as soon as that puck drops in Game 4. Tampa’s players are in his head, he knows it and so do they. This is a huge advantage for the Lightning. Getting the puck on net is all they’ll need to do. Lundqvist’s lack of confidence can do the rest for them. Tampa is his Achilles’ heel.

So I say sure, go ahead and start Lundqvist, but at the first sign of trouble or if the Rangers go down a pair or more—PULL HIM and put Talbot in. If they don’t and the Rangers drop this game, they are going to be a heck of bind.

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