N.Y. Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist's Reign at Madison Square Garden Draws to a Close

From the desk of: RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

THE KING

The first thing that comes to mind is my son and our time spent together at Rangers games.  I invested in a pair of season tickets when hockey returned from the lockout.  It was Henrik's rookie season and since day one we both knew the Rangers were in good hands.  I gave up the tickets a couple of years ago.  But for the better part of the last fifteen seasons my son and me paid loyal tribute to our Liege.  Henrik is what my son knows best.  Whereas I have Ed Giacomin, John Davidson, Beezer, and Mike Richter to compare him by.  I certainly mean no disrespect to Gump Worsley, but think it safe to say Henrik Lundqvist is the greatest goalie in New York Rangers history.  In fact, to date only five goalies in NHL history have earned more career victories than The King.  Marc-Andre Fleury is the lone active goalie with slightly more wins than Henrik.

• Career Record: 459-310-96   .918 SV%   2.74 GAA   64 Shutouts
• 61 Playoff Victories   .921 SV%   2.30 GAA   10 Shutouts
• 2011-2012 Vezina Trophy

The respective emergence of Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev make it plainly clear a new era of Rangers hockey is upon us - ever since general manager Jeff Gorton stood at the podium informing the media of the club's future intentions.  Henrik appeared in 30 games this season and did not appear in any games after the NHL return.  Last season, at 36-years of age, Henrik in 52 appearances posted a career low .907SV% and a career high 3.07 GAA.  

The Rangers are buying out the final year of his contract.  With any luck Henrik will sign a free agent contract with a contending team and win a Stanley Cup before his playing days are through.  In the meantime, I'm going to avoid going through Glen Sather's failure to reconcile the position of center and Rick Nash's major post-season shortcomings during the Liege's reign.

After Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky signed off, no one made the New York Rangers a topical subject on basketball biased sports radio like Henrik Lundqvist did during his formidable years minding net at Madison Square Garden.

He is and forever will be to New York Rangers fans, The King.

My son and I will be sure to be in attendance when they lift his #30 to the rafters.

N.Y. Rangers: Jean Ratelle Honor Is Long Overdue

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS..!!

*   *   *  19  *   *   *

336 Goals ~ 481 Assists ~ 817 Points

Career: 491 Goals ~ 776 Assists ~ 1,267 Points
ELECTED to HALL OF FAME: 1985

RANGERS ALL-TIME LISTS

Games Played: 6th

Goals: 2nd

Assists: 3rd

Points: 3rd

Plus/Minus: 4th

NEW YORK RANGERS: Jean Ratelle Finally Getting Sweater Hoisted to the Rafters Alongside Blueshirt Greats.

Jean Ratelle was a member of the famous GAG line (Goal a Game line) featuring Rod Gilbert, Vic Hadfield, and Ratelle at center. 

He recorded six hat tricks during his Rangers career.  In 1971-1972 Ratelle slashed 46/63/109, while leading the NHL with 40 even strength goals, and a 25.1 shot percentage.

I only saw Jean Ratelle play for the Rangers during his final season with the club.  In 1975, he and Brad Park were famously traded to the Boston Bruins.  This occurred shortly after the Rangers parted ways with the great Eddie Giacomin. 

Had I been a little older at the time, I'm sure I would have gotten upset over the situation.

Then again, maybe not.

Jean Ratelle was 35-years old at the time of the trade.  Perhaps the Rangers front office (The Cat) did the right thing.  As a kid, I nevertheless knew this was a huge deal.  After which, I continued becoming only somewhat familiar with Vic Hadfield, and a little more so with Rod Gilbert, whom retired after the 1977-1978 season.  By then I had finally become a full blown, albeit still young Rangers fan.  In exchange for Ratelle and Park, the Rangers received Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais.  And it was those ensuing Rangers of the mid to late 1970s featuring Espo, Ron Greschner, John Davidson, Nick Fotiu, Don Murdoch, Walt Tkaczuk, Dave Maloney, Ron Duguay, et al, that I first became hopelessly passionate about.

Jean Ratelle is the ninth player to have his sweater retired by the Rangers, but only the eighth number being hoisted up to the rafters.  The number nine is retired in honor of both Adam Graves and Andy Bathgate.

And for that, I must digress ...

... because the Rangers have gotten this all wrong.  And believe it or not, for a change it's not Jim Dolan's fault.  The sweaters of Harry Howell (3), Andy Bathgate (9), and Jean Ratelle (19), all should have been retired by previous owners long ago - certainly before those of Mark Messier (11), Mike Richter (31), Brian Leetch (2), and Adam Graves (9).

Blame Sonny Werblin, or Gulf+Western, or Paramount, or ITT Corp., or whomever.

This honor is long overdue.

When Will The Rangers Finally 

Raise Ron Greschner's Jersey 

Among The Greats?

N.Y. Rangers: My Kingdom For A Cup

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Let Battle Be Joined

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NEW YORK RANGERS: New Coach, New System, Same Condition - Henrik Lundqvist Must Bare The Weight Of Blueshirt Nation On His Shoulders.

On Saturday, Henrik Lundqvist completed his 9th full season in the National Hockey League.  He compiled a 33-24-6 record in 64 games.  Henrik led the NHL with 24 victories last season, but that came during a lockout shortened regular season.  Otherwise, Henrik, 32, has now surpassed 30 victories 8 times in his career.  Martin Brodeur owns the record with 14 seasons of 30+ victories.

If you remember, the regular season didn't start that well for Henrik and his kings men.  They were forced to start the regular season on a seven game road trip in which they only compiled a 2-5 record.  The Rangers went 8-11 in November, and 10-15 in their first 25 games, while allowing an average of 4 goals per game.

After their poor start, things started smoothing out by mid December.  That the team finished the season with a 45-31-6 final record and 96 points, speaks extremely well of Henrik's, and the team's recovery under Alain Vigneault over the final 57 games of the season.

This was obviously a milestone season for Henrik Lundqvist.  He achieved his 300th career victory, and won his second Olympic gold medal as net minder for Team Sweden.  He then went on to break Mike Richter's club record to become the New York Rangers all-time leader in victories.  Shortly thereafter, he broke Ed Giacomin's record, becoming the club's all-time leader in career shutouts.

While a poor start pollute his numbers somewhat, Henrik nonetheless finished with a .920 SV%, and a 2.36 GAA.  Both rival his worst postings over the last five seasons.

His career best 1.97 GAA, not coincidentally, came two years ago in the season New York made their glacier-like grind into the Conference finals under John Tortorella.  Of course, Tortorella was much more mindful to minimize traffic in front of Lundqvist.  Coach Vigneault, and his physically-lite squad, have allowed much more chaos and contact in the crease than Torts would ever tolerate.

The numbers speak for themselves.  Under Torts, the Rangers won 51 games, and captured their first division crown since the '93-'94 season.  Henrik posted a career best 39-18 record that season, with a career best .930% save percentage - good enough to earn his first Vezina Trophy.  In his last season under Torts, Lundqvist posted a similarly impressive .926% save percentage, and a 2.05 GAA.

In my lifetime, three Rangers goalies have competed for Lord Stanley's Cup.  Mike Richter played in two conference finals, and of course, won a Stanley Cup.  He is the lone Cup winner.  Between 1967 and 1974, Ed Giacomin participated in 5 semi-finals, and competed for one Stanley Cup. John Davidson also advanced into a pair of semi-finals, and competed for a Cup in the '78-'79 season.

However, Henrik Lundqvist is still joined with John Vanbiesbrouck, as Rangers Vezina Trophy recipients, who were stopped short of a Stanley Cup appearance in the conference finals.

Henrik's '13-'14 .920 SV% exactly matches his career playoff save percentage.  His 2.28 career playoff GAA is slightly above his career 2.26 regular season GAA.  In 67 playoff games with the Rangers, dating back to Tom Renney, Lundqvist owns a below .500, 30-37 career record.

This will be Henrik Lundqvist's eighth playoff appearance.  A lack of overall scoring short circuited the Rangers two season ago in the conference finals versus the Devils.  This time, the Rangers have Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis on the roster.  In name, history, and deed, they are considered difference makers.

Over the last three seasons, the Rangers team defense has ranked 3rd, and 4th, under John Tortorellaa, and 4th again this season under Coach Alain Vigneault.  That said, and despite the loss of Chris Kreider, having Nash and St. Louis should theoretically improve the Rangers scoring this time around, as well as their overall chances of gaining Cup success.  No?

Obviously, Martin St. Louis was a trade deadline acquisition.  He's played 19 regular season games for the Rangers, but only tallied one goal and 9 assists.  For Tampa, Ryan Callahan finished with 6 goals and 5 assists.

That's not the only Blueshirt anomaly.  During the '11-'12 season, the Rangers ranked 13th in the NHL with 226 goals.  In last season's shortened season, the Rangers scored 130 goals, which ranked 12th.  This season, the Rangers scored 218 goals, dropping them to 18th in the league.

Alain Vigneault certainly improved the Rangers power play, yet the team took a curious, subtle step backwards.  At even strength, they palled in comparison to Tortorella's Rangers.

Over the years, so much of the Rangers fate has been placed in Henrik Lundqvist's hands.  Time and again, he's been asked to outshine his team's greater deficiencies.  In recent years, he has come under increasing media scrutiny for not being able to carry the Rangers on his back to ultimate Stanley Cup glory.  Instead, these days more is being made of three 1st round eliminations, and three 2nd round eliminations.

This season is no different.  Once again, King Henrik is being asked to reign over Lord Stanley's tournament, this time, with the hope Glen Sather sufficiently improved the Rangers scoring potential.

However, since getting ousted by the Devils two fateful post-seasons ago, Glen Sather has systematically eradicated the team's overall toughness and grit.

Everything comes at a price.  The Stanley Cup Playoffs are no different.

For Henrik Lundqvist, there's also a legacy at stake.  At this point, I'm sure he'd gladly trade in his kingdom for a Cup.

Mike.BTB

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

N.Y. Rangers - The King Of Mount Blueshirt

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

#302

A NEW RANGERS RECORD FOR VICTORIES BY A GOALTENDER

NEW YORK RANGERS: All The King's Horses, And All The King's Men, Scored Eight Times To Help Henrik Lundqvist Become Tex's Rangers All-Time Leader In Wins For A Goalie.

On this most special occasion, Henrik Lundqvist made 35 saves, but still allowed four goals to the Ottawa Senators.  His Rangers team mates stood by his side however, and ensured their liege's milestone victory with eight goals in support.

Henrik was stalwart when he needed to be.  So, move over Mike Richter, there's a new king of the hill.  Mike Richter was the first and only Rangers goalie to ever surpass 300 victories in a career, until Henrik Lundqvist came along.

Henrik Lunqvist earned at least 30 victories in each of his first seven seasons.  He established a high of 39 victories during the 2011-12 season.  Mike Richter's best mark came during the 1993-94 Cup season, in which he posted 42 victories to lead the league.  He only achieved 30+ victories one other time in his career. Lundqvist on the other hand, has never achieved 40 victories - yet. However, he did lead the NHL with 24 victories in last year's abbreviated season.

Mike Richter never recorded more than 5 shutouts in a season.  Henrik Lundqvist has twice led the NHL in shutouts, with 10 and 11 respectively.  Prior to unceremoniously being traded to the Red Wings, Hall of Fame goalie Eddie Giacomin spent 9+ seasons tending net for the Rangers, in which he set the club record with 49 shutouts, and led the NHL three times.

Giacomin achieved 30+ victories in a season 5 times, and his first four times came consecutively. He led the league in wins three times, and established a career high of 37 wins during the 1968-69 season.  Eddie also earned the Vezina award for his 1970-71 season.

Henrik won the Vezina award for his 2011-12 season, while Mike Richter never managed to win the award.  Mike however, is the only one of the three with his name on the Stanley Cup.

*     *     *     *

After twice falling behind in the opening period to Ottawa, the Blueshirts cranked up the offense over the final forty minutes of play.  Six different Rangers scored Tuesday night.  Rick Nash and Derick Brassard scored a pair of goals each.  Benoit Pouliot, John Moore, Ryan McDonagh, and Derek Stepan all chipped in with one goal each to help the Rangers set their season high.

The power play was 0 for 3, but the Rangers true struggles have been at even strength.  For a night, they got it right.  Six goals came at even strength, while Rick Nash provided the bookends. He scored the Rangers first goal, shorthanded in the opening period, and capped off the night with an empty net goal to end the game.

Afterward, Coach Vigneault said the defense sucked.  I couldn't agree more.  Ottawa's 39 shots on goal speak loudly to that point.  But, for now, that all gets a pass.  The Rangers secured two more points, and Lundqvist set a club record.  That's a good night by any measure.

The Rangers are now 4-6 in March, at a time when points are at a premium.  They are third in the Metropolitan Division, just two points better than Columbus.  That currently translates to seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings, similarly two points better than Columbus.  And wouldn't you know, the Blue Jackets play Thursday night, then will host a head to head clash with the Rangers on Friday night.  The Rangers are off till then, and could potentially enter that game tied with Columbus should the Blue Jackets defeat the Habs on Thursday.

Immediately following the Blue Jackets, the Rangers have the equally critical task of keeping the Devils out of the picture, in a game at the Rock.

Twelve games remain in the regular season.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist Wins #300; Ties Giacomin In Shutouts

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

KING HENRIK's

300

NEW YORK RANGERS: Henrik Lundqvist On Verge Of Rewriting The Blueshirts Record Books.

.............But, Sometimes Lasting Legacies Are A Mixed Bag Of Goods.

With Sunday's 3-0 Rangers victory over the Detroit Red Wings, goalie Henrik Lundqvist earned his 300th career win, and his 49th career shutout.  Lundqvist is now just one win away from tying Mike Richter (301) for the club lead, and is now tied with Ed Giacomin for the club lead in shutouts.

Henrik Lundqvist is now 32-years old.  Mike Richter retired at 36-years of age.  To date, Henrik has started 106 less games than Mike Richter totaled for the Rangers.  Richter retired with a 301-258 career record, and a .538 winning percentage.  Henrik now owns a 300-191 record, and currently sports a .611 winning percentage.  Of course, Mike Richter played prior to the institution of the shootout.  Richter was credited with 73 ties during his career, while Lundqvist technically has zero.

Henrik Lunqvist earned at least 30 victories in each of his first seven seasons.  He established a high of 39 victories during the 2011-12 season.  Mike Richter's best mark came during the 1993-94 Cup season, in which he posted 42 victories to lead the league.  He only achieved 30+ victories one other time in his career. Lundqvist on the other hand, has never achieved 40 victories - yet.  However, he did lead the NHL with 24 victories in last year's abbreviated season.

Mike Richter never recorded more than 5 shutouts in a season.  Henrik Lundqvist has twice led the NHL in shutouts, with 10 and 11 respectively.  Prior to unceremoniously being traded to the Red Wings, Hall of Fame goalie Eddie Giacomin spent 9+ seasons tending net for the Rangers, in which he recorded 49 shutouts, and led the NHL three times.

Giacomin achieved 30+ victories in a season 5 times, and his first four times came consecutively.  He led the league in wins three times, and established a career high of 37 wins during the 1968-69 season.  Eddie also earned the Vezina award for his 1970-71 season.

Henrik won the Vezina award for his 2011-12 season, while Mike Richter never managed to win the award.
Henrik also has earned gold and silver medals in the Olympics.

However, Mike Richter's name is on the Stanley Cup, and Eddie Giacomin at least competed for a Cup. Unfortunately, Henrik Lundqvist has yet to participate in a Stanley Cup series.

Recently acquired Martin St. Louis is just the latest in a long list of veteran players trying to get Henrik there.

sigh...



Mike.BTB