New York Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist recent play is the face of the end of an era

The recent play of Henrik Lundqvist is not indicative of his age, but of the end of an era for the New York Rangers.

The New York Rangers are headed toward missing the playoffs for the first time in several years. It is evident by simply watching them play and not even looking at the standings. But when you do look it’s not good. Currently the Rangers sit with 59 points, six behind the Blue Jackets for the final Wild Card position. It’s not that far behind if they were playing well but if you turn on MSG for a few minutes those six points will feel like 60.

The Rangers are in the midst of a rebuild, so much so that it has already begun with the recent Nick Holden trade. The team is playing like a team looking ahead to next year and they are already executing that plan.

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Now you can’t talk Rangers without discussing the King. Henrik Lundqvist has been the face of the franchise for as long as we can remember. All of the big saves, the big wins, the clutch wins have made him the star and kept him as the star. He has been the one shining light in troubled times on Broadway.

Of late, however, he hasn’t been his royal self. In his last 11 starts he has been pulled three times. Lundqvist has also given up four or more goals on five separate occasions including seven this past Sunday against the Flyers.

The knee-jerk reaction would be to say that Henrik is at the end of the line. That’s all that would be is a knee-jerk reaction because if you look closer it really isn’t accurate.

Over his last six complete games, Lundqvist has faced an average of 34.5 shots per game. That’s a high number, but right along with the Rangers average. They are currently allowing the fourth most shots at 34 per game. Goalies simply aren’t built to hold up against that type of pressure every single night. If the team can’t keep the puck away from the goal, eventually the puck will get by.

Don’t forget that included in this recent slate of games is a 3-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets that saw the King stop 37 out of 38 shots. Make no mistake about it, Henrik Lundqvist still has it in him.

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What it does coincide with, however, is the end of an era. The Rangers are playing some of the most uninspired hockey we have seen them play in years. They look like a team that knows it needs to be broken up. When it gets so bad that the face of the franchise can’t save them anymore it becomes clear that the current era of Rangers hockey is over.

But don’t blame the King. He has gas left in the tank.

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