Dubi at the Blueshirt Bulletin gives us some insight on how Henrik Lundqvist does when the shot totals are down..."The Rangers have held opponents to 20 shots or less a dozen times this season, but they are only 6-5-1 in those games, with one consolation point allowed in one of those wins. What's more, they have allowed 23 shots or less in 24 games -- that's nearly half their games -- but are only 12-11-1 in those games, with opponents still getting a point in four of those wins. Lest you think this is merely the result of their inability to score, the Rangers have allowed three or more goals in more than half of those game -- in those thirteen games, they have given up 50 goals on 271 shots, an .815 save percentage and an average of nearly four goals per game! Their 27 goals in those games is a subpar average of just about two goals per game, but it's not as if they're not scoring at all in some of these contests."
John Dellapina ways in on Lundqvist's struggles at The Blueshirt Blog...
"...Do you realize that the Rangers have lost five of the nine games in which they’ve allowed 20 shots or fewer in front of Henrik Lundqvist?
Yes, three of Anaheim’s goals tonight were difficult to pin on Lundqvist. But Corey Perry’s game-changer midway through the second period was on a right-dot slapper on which there was no screen, no deflection and Jason Strudwick had taken away the passing lane on a two-on-one...
...But with 25 games remaining, it is high time that Lundqvist steals a few and gives away no more. The next time the Rangers outshoot somebody, 33-19, he has to win.
Tonight’s loss might not be his fault in the strictest sense. But the Rangers don’t need a no-fault goalie. They need a guy who consistently outplays the guy in the other net. Lundqvist has yet to do that this year."
...wow, Lundqvist has gone from "Golden Boy" to "Whipping Boy" in two months.
2 comments:
I tell you what, Lundqvist has being playing poorly since December. He's been given a pass by the media and fans because of his strong play earlier in the season as well as the last 2 seasons. AT the games you never hear the fans get on him, and the press doesn't get on him either. Ritcher never receive this type of treatment, and played in front of teams that had no interest in playing defense. Finally after last night he's starting to receive some criticism.
I know he won plenty of games for the Rangers early, and he has a lot of stuff going on around him. But he's killing the Rangers right now. 2 good months of hockey followed by 2 poor months is not acceptable. I can't remember the last time he outplayed the opposing goalie.
The Rangers have no shot of making they play-offs unless he starts to play like an NHL goalie.
We know he's capable of being an elite goalie.
By the way I can't remember Ritcher ever having a stretch as bad as the one Hank is in the middle of.
Is Dellapina srious... The Rangers are not 4-0 vs the Devils this year because of there offense, it because Lundqvist has outplayed brodeur in every game
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