Wanna know why people always say New York hockey fans are the most knowledgeable in the game? Well when 18,200 people all collectively shout “SHOOT THE PUCK” repeatedly, then you should have a pretty good idea why. Regardless the Rangers were so fortunate to get out of this with 2 points. Its frankly a testament to how well Henrik Lundqvist played in this one.
So how good has Henrik Lundqvist been? In his last 6 games (the game against St. Louis Valiquette played) the Rangers have scored a combined 15 goals. Thats only 2.5 goals per game ladies and germs, and he has gone 4-0-2 in those games. Frankly thats just amazing. Want to know what is frightening though? Since this calender year began Henrik Lundqvist has failed to win 7 games where he has given up 2 goals or less. Think on that for a minute. We’re talking a period of time that encompasses 28 games. So in 25% of that time Henrik has put up spectacular numbers AND LOST. IF the Rangers had managed to pick up 2 points in 5 of those games they would be sitting comfortably with 84 points and in 5th place (2 of those games the Rangers managed to pick up 1 point).
Lets take it a step further. Let’s consider games in which our goalie (Henrik, Weekes, or Valiquette) has given up 3 goals or less since Christmas. In that span which encompasses 32 games our goaltending has given up 3 goals or less in an amazing 27 games. During that span the Rangers are a shocking 16-12-4. Blame the offense, not the defense if we miss the playoffs.
Tough to stomach isnt it? Which is why I will take these 2 points and bank them. Although I usually have this “give the points back” mentality when we play poorly or stupidly, tonight I will make no such gesture. Rangers are again, as of now, in the playoffs. Ill definitely get the projections done tonight, sorry about last night folks. Also when I get some time I will try to write an asp script to automatically generate the projections, but I dont have the time to do it. If someone does have the time and would like to do it for me, give me a PM over at the HFBoards my screen name there is inferno272.
-Inferno
