N.Y. Rangers: Lundqvist Passes Giacomin; Nash Rumbles On

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

#50

Goalie Henrik Lundqvist 

Sets New Rangers Franchise Record With 50th Career Shutout

Ed Giacomin - 49 Career Shutouts

NEW YORK RANGERS: The King Notches His 5th Shutout Of Season; Surpasses Ed Giacomin On Club's All-Time List.

....and it came at a most crucial time, with the Rangers clinging to third place in the Metropolitan Division with just 10 games left in the regular season.  The Rangers are now winners of three in a row, but are just 6-6 in the Ides of March.

With 82 points, the Rangers lead 4th place Washington (79 points), and 5th place Columbus (78 points) in the Metropolitan standings.  The Rangers are currently 6th in the Eastern Conference, two points better than 7th seed Toronto, and three points better than both Detroit, and Washington.

Saturday night in Newark, Rick Nash continued playing inspired hockey.  He opened up the scoring midway through the 2nd period, on assists by Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider.  Rick Nash and Derek Stepan both led the Rangers with 4 shots on goal.  Stepan gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead with a power play goal in the 3rd period, and with his 2 points against the Devils, he now has 50 points for the season.

In the end, that was all the Rangers needed.  Henrik Lundvist handled the rest.  He made 21 saves in shutting out the Devils.  It was also Henrik's 50th career shutout, breaking the Rangers franchise record set by the great Eddie Giacomin.

The Rangers also played a disciplined game, allowing the proficient Devils power play unit just one opportunity.

This may have been the last time Henrik Lundqvist and Martin Brodeur faced off against each other with their respective teams.  Martin Brodeur, 41, is a free agent at the end of the season. They have gone head to head 41 times in their careers.  Brodeur's record against Lundqvist is 15-21-5, while Henrik's record against Brodeur is 26-10-5.




Mike.BTB