Banged-Up Lundqvist Ready To Go For Rangers In Game 3
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Facing an 0-2 hole, the New York Rangers need to rebound in a big way at Madison Square Garden if they hope to move past the Boston Bruins in their best-of-seven series.
One key factor for the Rangers is the play — and health — of goalie Henrik Lundqvist.
Lundqvist was back on the ice Monday after his rough game on Sunday, in which he also appeared to injure his left shoulder.
He was no worse for wear during and following the hour-long practice ahead of Tuesday's Game 3 in New York.
"Everybody is sore," he said. “It’s the playoffs. You can’t just sit out if it’s hurting a little bit.”
Lundqvist said he "landed on the ice awkwardly and it hurt a little bit" in the third period of Boston's 5-2 win Saturday in Game 2.
“It’s under control,” Lundqvist said.
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Before Sunday, Lundqvist hadn't allowed five goals in 151 consecutive games, dating to a 5-2 loss at Anaheim on March 9, 2011. He also had never yielded more than three goals in any of his 31 previous games against the Bruins, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Lundqvist gave up 12 total goals in the first five games of the first-round series versus the Capitals before shutting them out in Games 6 and 7. Boston has already registered eight goals against him.
"It's disappointing to give up five goals, but positioning-wise and reading the plays for the most part was good," Lundqvist said. "They made some good plays, too, and then there were some unlucky bounces and screens.
"I could probably find excuses for the goals, but it's not going to help my game. I just have to try to be better and work even harder to see pucks."
History is hardly on the Rangers' side. New York is 2-19 in series it trailed 0-2, and no NHL team has won consecutive series after losing the first two games.
Game 4 will also be in New York on Thursday.
“We’ve won games here," said Rangers coach John Tortorella. "That’s what we have to do. Not win two at home, but we need to win one game at home. And that’s our total focus.”
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