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New York Rangers Benefit From Henrik Lundqvist Being An All-Star Snub

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As the NHL breaks for All-Star Weekend in Columbus, Henrik Lundqvist will not venture to Nationwide Arena. This season marks the first since the 2007-08 campaign in which the King will not appear in a Midseason Classic. Although not selected to play in the Buckeye State, Lundqvist is a deserving All-Star.

Despite Lundqvist’s slow start, the New York Rangers goaltender has rounded into royal form. Rangers’ commentator Joe Micheletti said that “if you throw October out the window, Lundqvist has been one of the best, if not the best goalie in hockey.” Lundqvist has been the driving force behind the Blueshirts’ brigade that has taken the league by storm, winning 16 of their last 19 games. The King has picked up wins in 15 of his last 17 games, his save percentage hovering around .940 while posting a goals against average (GAA) of just under two goals a game.

But All-Star voters do not disregard the month of October. A rough October is nothing new for former Vezina Trophy Winner as the veteran often uses the first month of the new season to sharpen his game. Even with this subpar beginning, Lundqvist’s statistics rank among the top 10 in every major goalie category.

While he should be an All-Star, Lundqvist will benefit from taking the weekend off. The 32-year-old has played a lot of hockey over the past three years. Lundqvist often talks about how his position demands intensity and focus. The gold medalist from Sweden will use this time to rest his mind and body for a couple of days before ratcheting up for the long haul to the Stanley Cup. More importantly, Lundqvist knows exactly how to handle the week off. Just three weeks ago, during Christmas Break, the King organized a boxing day skate so that he was prepared for the game the following night.

Additionally, All-Star games can create bad habits for goalies. Because the nature of the game is that of a pickup game and not that of a regular season NHL affair, it can very well disrupt a goalie’s timing. Because defenders are invisible, goaltenders see many odd-man rushes. The competitor within every netminder drives them to keep the puck out of the net by any means necessary. On a weekend that celebrates hockey’s showmanship, goalies often cheat, either by sitting deeper in the crease to deny a cross pass or abandoning their shortside responsibility.

The Rangers should be grateful that Lundqvist is not going as they need him at his best to be contenders. Lundqvist has hit his stride, returning to his dominant form that propelled the Rangers to the verge of their first Stanley Cup in 20 years. Without the distraction in Ohio, Lundqvist can set his sights on the “Old Barn” as the Rangers visit the New York Islanders next Tuesday at Nassau Coliseum.

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