Lundqvist has plenty left in his tank this time
Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers prepares to play against the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden. (March 23, 2012) Credit: Jim McIsaac
In a season that began with an emotional return to his native Sweden and included the Winter Classic and an All-Star appearance, Henrik Lundqvist wants to save his best for last.
"I feel pretty much the same going down the stretch," said Lundqvist, who turned 30 on March 2. "You have a lot of energy, you're excited. The biggest difference was December, maybe late November, where I felt a lack of energy. I had to push myself in practice and in games. Hopefully, the real difference will be late May and June. That's the goal, that's why we've been changing the number of [my] starts."
After appearing in 68 regular-season games last season, Lundqvist has started only 56 -- by design -- with seven to go. If he plays in five of the last seven, he will finish at 61, a significant drop.
"I'm not really sure what the schedule is," said Lundqvist, who is 35-15-5 with a 1.93 GAA and a .932 save percentage, all top three in the league, and is tied for first in shutouts with eight. "I'm just trying to push myself to be a little sharper in practice and games . . . I still think I can improve a few things. I need to be patient . . .
"Confidence comes from playing well, but playing well, you need to be patient. But you need to be patient to have confidence. It's a circle. You just have to not overthink it . . . A couple times [in Saturday night's 4-3 shootout win over Toronto], I was too anxious to make the save instead of letting the puck come to me."
Of course, in March and April last year, the puck came his way much too often. Lundqvist played the final 23 games of the season, 21 of them after Martin Biron's collarbone was broken by Derek Stepan's shot during practice Feb. 28. Then he played all five games against the Capitals, who ousted the Rangers in five games in the first round.
He's not solely to blame for the Rangers' recent inconsistency (6-5-1 in the last 12), but Lundqvist has allowed at least three goals in eight of his last 11 starts.
"The last few weeks, it's been OK. I think I played solid, but I need to come up with some big saves sometimes. You want to give up one or no goals," he said Saturday. "I want to be the difference here."
More Rangers
