Hank finally is having his vezina season I believe. He's been close before but has been edged out. Being on a 1st place team now & him just flat out dominating, its time. Of course a lights out postseason can't hurt either.
- B2B76

He has a lot of competition: Howard, Thomas, Quick even. I think Lundqvist gets the nod, thus far but the Vezina won't be a runaway by any stretch of the imagination.

He has a lot of competition: Howard, Thomas, Quick even. I think Lundqvist gets the nod, thus far but the Vezina won't be a runaway by any stretch of the imagination.
- MidnightMarauder

No, not all, but this year I just don't see Hank breaking down/going into a prolonged funk. He'll have a 3 or 4 game stretch of some bad games I'm sure but who doesn't?

He has a lot of competition: Howard, Thomas, Quick even. I think Lundqvist gets the nod, thus far but the Vezina won't be a runaway by any stretch of the imagination.
- MidnightMarauder

The benefit that Hank has over guys like Howard and Quick is that the NHL Awards do have a bit of a lifetime achieve component to them (although they shouldn't). Therefore, the close call always seems to go to the guy whose turn it is. There a probably dozens of examples that can be cited to disprove this point, but I just think that Hank would win a close call over Howard and Quick, and probably over Thomas as well (maybe because of a little Tim Thomas fatigue).

The benefit that Hank has over guys like Howard and Quick is that the NHL Awards do have a bit of a lifetime achieve component to them (although they shouldn't). Therefore, the close call always seems to go to the guy whose turn it is. There a probably dozens of examples that can be cited to disprove this point, but I just think that Hank would win a close call over Howard and Quick, and probably over Thomas as well (maybe because of a little Tim Thomas fatigue).
- Pete V

Very true Pete, he's waited his turn, now its time. Also, he has the "pedigree" to win, I hate that word, but you hear people around the league talk like that a lot. Being nominated 3 other times does play into it.

As long as Fatso doesn't win it again.

ok i have to admit. Hank really is AMAZING

















in the regular season

The benefit that Hank has over guys like Howard and Quick is that the NHL Awards do have a bit of a lifetime achieve component to them (although they shouldn't). Therefore, the close call always seems to go to the guy whose turn it is. There a probably dozens of examples that can be cited to disprove this point, but I just think that Hank would win a close call over Howard and Quick, and probably over Thomas as well (maybe because of a little Tim Thomas fatigue).
- Pete V

Hank's numbers speak for themselves though. He is in the top three in several major goaltender categories: goals against average, save percentage and shutouts.

If that trend continues, especially if the Rangers continue to lead the league in goals against average, as a team, as well as stay amongst the top two or three in the league standings; Lundqvist will get his just reward.

Biron's spectacular play, which allows a respite here and there for Hank, is a huge reason for the gaudy numbers thus far.

The defense in front of him has been excellent this season but Lundqvist is the rock of the franchise without question.

Very true Pete, he's waited his turn, now its time. Also, he has the "pedigree" to win, I hate that word, but you hear people around the league talk like that a lot. Being nominated 3 other times does play into it.

As long as Fatso doesn't win it again.
- B2B76

I don't think you have to be worried about that

No, not all, but this year I just don't see Hank breaking down/going into a prolonged funk. He'll have a 3 or 4 game stretch of some bad games I'm sure but who doesn't?
- B2B76

He was lights out last year during the final 30 game stretch. couldn't find the stats, but i would imagine he had a +.930 save%. remember that 3 game stretch in late march when the team scored 3 goals in 3 games and he stole us 5 points with 2 1-0 shutouts? found this stat on espn.

From Elias: Henrik Lundqvist recorded his fifth shutout of the season and the 40th of his NHL career with a 3-0 win over the Jets on Tuesday night. Lundqvist has made 436 regular-season starts in his seven seasons in the NHL. Among goaltenders who made their NHL debut in the expansion era (i.e., 1967-68 to date), only Tony Esposito (243), Ken Dryden (318), Dominik Hasek (362), Evgeni Nabokov (392) and Martin Brodeur (419) needed fewer starts to get to 40 shutouts than Lundqvist.

Hank's numbers speak for themselves though. He is in the top three in several major goaltender categories: goals against average, save percentage and shutouts.

If that trend continues, especially if the Rangers continue to lead the league in goals against average, as a team, as well as stay amongst the top two or three in the league standings; Lundqvist will get his just reward.

Biron's spectacular play, which allows a respite here and there for Hank, is a huge reason for the gaudy numbers thus far.

The defense in front of him has been excellent this season but Lundqvist is the rock of the franchise without question.
- MidnightMarauder

Biron for Hank is very similiar to what Glenn Healy was for Richter. He can spell the starter in a pinch and more. If Hank happened to go down I would fully trust that Biron could handle the load for a while. The guy deserves a contract extension, can't overlook how important a guy like Marty is to this team.

ok i have to admit. Hank really is AMAZING
in the regular season
- Crimsoninja

A flyers fan dissing henrik?

I don't think you have to be worried about that
- hockeypunk36

A flyers fan dissing henrik?
- bonzo11

It's Crims haha

Biron for Hank is very similiar to what Glenn Healy was for Richter. He can spell the starter in a pinch and more. If Hank happened to go down I would fully trust that Biron could handle the load for a while. The guy deserves a contract extension, can't overlook how important a guy like Marty is to this team.
- B2B76

Immediately loved when the Ranger signed him two summers ago. Hope they can sign Biron to another two year deal this off-season. Great teammate and one of the better back-up goalies out there; better than several starters in the league today.

- B2B76

Fatso = Brodeur right?

Immediately loved when the Ranger signed him two summers ago. Hope they can sign Biron to another two year deal this off-season. Great teammate and one of the better back-up goalies out there; better than several starters in the league today.
- MidnightMarauder

Yea although if he wants to test the market and see if he can win a starters gig somewhere, all the power to him. I would love to have Biron back but the guy is all class. I wouldn't hate to see him get a chance to start again if the opporutnity came knocking elsewhere. He has earned that over his career.

All that said, I don't see him leaving. I think Sather realizes his importance and rewards him before the year is over

It's Crims haha
- TPC

i know

Fatso = Brodeur right?
- hockeypunk36

That would be yesssssssssssssssssssssss

That would be yesssssssssssssssssssssss
- B2B76

If there was a trophy for who can finish an entire buffet line faster, while sleeping with his in-laws, he would be the annual runaway winner.

Yea although if he wants to test the market and see if he can win a starters gig somewhere, all the power to him. I would love to have Biron back but the guy is all class. I wouldn't hate to see him get a chance to start again if the opporutnity came knocking elsewhere. He has earned that over his career.

All that said, I don't see him leaving. I think Sather realizes his importance and rewards him before the year is over
- TPC

At this point in his career, if Sather pays him accordingly, I don't see him going anywhere. To have a chance to win every year, from now until he hangs them up, is probably more important than being a starting goalie on a team that has not a good a chance of winning.

He has played a vital role in the Rangers success this season, without question.

Yea although if he wants to test the market and see if he can win a starters gig somewhere, all the power to him. I would love to have Biron back but the guy is all class. I wouldn't hate to see him get a chance to start again if the opporutnity came knocking elsewhere. He has earned that over his career.

All that said, I don't see him leaving. I think Sather realizes his importance and rewards him before the year is over
- TPC

He's done that a number of times. He's not a starter. Not sure why. Although he does say he's learned about focus from Hank.

He's done that a number of times. He's not a starter. Not sure why. Although he does say he's learned about focus from Hank.
- bodiva88

I was just saying this next contract could be his last. If he wants to try and find a starters gig then I won't hate the man. He deserves the opportunity.

ok i have to admit. Hank really is AMAZING








in the regular season
- Crimsoninja

Coming from the guy whose first name is Christian...

Coming from the guy whose first name is Christian...
- evitageN

I feel kind of bad about revealing that. Kind of like pointing out Clark Kent going into a phone booth.

Coming from the guy whose first name is Christian...
- evitageN

I feel kind of bad about revealing that. Kind of like pointing out Clark Kent going into a phone booth.
- bodiva88

I thought Crims was like a 30 year old troll, when you told me his name was Christian my image of him turned into a 12 year old troll...

Don't know if that makes sense but my image of a person named Christian has to be 12 years old...