Henrik Lundqvist (March 21, 2011 - Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)
Henrik Lundqvist is going to have a lot of pressure to get the Rangers past the Caps in the first round. He has been a pretty solid goalie so far in his career, he’s had six straight 30 plus win seasons and received Vezina nominations his first three years in the NHL, but he has yet to prove himself in the postseason. As much as I hate the Rangers, I have a lot of respect for Lundqvist and his abilities as a great goalie, but he has only helped the Rangers make it to the second round of the playoffs twice in four trips to the postseason and has failed to make it any further. Also, he has only been able to win 3 games in the second round…
King Henrik is a franchise goalie and has the ability to get the Rangers past the Capitals. I can see this first round series going 7 games as it did in 2009 against the Caps. Lundqvist can make the series outcome different this year. Henrik has 2 shutouts and has stopped 85 of 89 shots this season against the Capitals. If Lundqvist plays his game and receives help from his teammates, as much as it pains me to write this, I can see them beating the Caps in the first round. It will have to be a long series though. I give the Rangers the advantage because of Lundqvist and since they won the season series 3-1 and outscored the Caps 18 to 5. If they beat Washington, I can see the Rangers making a run for the Cup.
