Anyone Entertaining Henrik Lundqvist Sitting For Cam Talbot Deserves A Clapper To The Throat

Seriously? Fans are seriously questioning what happens when Lundqvist is game-ready? What fucking world does a healthy Henrik Lundqvist take a back seat to anyone come playoff time? We’re not just talking about a team’s usual #1. We’re talking about one of the best post-season netminders since the eighties. Over 92 playoff games he’s put up a 2.24/.922 stat line which is right up there with names like Brodeur, Roy, Hasek, Belfour & Quick. Obviously he’s yet to hoist the greatest trophy in sports, but it’s clearly no fault of his own. The King is the ONLY option for the Blueshirts and to even question that is moronic. Talbot’s been outstanding – but if it was Hank on this run, we’d all be saying it’s just Hank being Hank.

Have fans forgotten his resume? He’s played 6 Game 7’s and won the last 5 by surrendering 1 or less in each. His lone loss was in ’09 by a 2-1 score. In 2012, #30 was the biggest reason the Rangers met the Devils in the Conference Final. In the two prior series, both of which went to 7 games (including a triple-OT W over the Caps), Lundqvist allowed more than 2 just four times. Never more than 3. In 2013, with his squad down 3 games to 2, Henrik pitched back-to-back shutouts against the Ovechkins to advance. And what about last year’s Cup run? A 2-1 Game 7 win in the first round, 102 saves on 105 shots while erasing a 3-1 series deficit in round two & this ridiculous save in the conference-clinching 1-0 win over the Habs.

Lundqvist’s injury was severe, but from all accounts his strength & conditioning hasn’t suffered. He’s fresh & in tip-top shape. There’s no reason to expect anything less than the same devastatingly handsome puck-stopper who had reeled off 16 wins over 20 games prior to injury, including the one where he shouldn’t have played because he could’ve had a stroke and died. When the pressure is highest & spotlight is brightest, the King excels. I love Cam Talbot. What he’s done filling such big skates in New York may very well be what gives this Blueshirts squad the confidence to pull off 3 more W’s this postseason. If they win the Presidents’ Trophy, I say give it to him. If Talbot’s gonna have his name etched on the Stanley Cup though, a healthy Henrik Lundqvist gives this team the best chance and it’s not even close. Don’t be stupid.