Last year we saw Henrik Lundqvist carry the New York Rangers to game six of the Stanley Cup final, until being heart broken by Alex Martinez and the Los Angeles Kings on their way to their second Stanley Cup in two years. So what now for the king he has had a shortened summer to re-tool his game and get healthy after a long Stanley Cup run. If he was able to get a full summers work then he should be able to play just as well if not better than he was last year during the playoffs. There is absolutely no doubt that Henrik Lundqvist is one of the best and most consistent goalie year-in-year-out, he struggled a little at the beginning of the preseason but started to look like himself after a few starts and that is to be expected.
The biggest question marks for Lundqvist is can the Rangers provide enough offense and Defense to help preserve the king so that he does burn himself out in the early part of the season. The Rangers need to add more firepower up front much of the Stanley Cup final was carried by Lundqvist with very little offensive opportunities. If this season is like last season the Rangers will not get bounced early and it could be dangerous for the king in the coming years over working him could cause injury and could shorten his career.
The Rangers should look to Cam Talbot to handle more work in net giving the king a break in many of the back-to-back games. The rangers however will need to add a top six forward that can add depth to their core and scoring to an offense that had the potential to be explosive but is just missing a few pieces. Look for the Rangers to make a big splash at the trade deadline or before most likely trading away some of their young talents to sure up the offense for another Stanley Cup run. Also look for bounce back a season from Rick Nash, Nash who was completely frustrated last year during the season and the playoffs struggling to score and make plays that benefited the Rangers on the offensive side of the puck. The Rangers were able to get rid of an awful contract in Brad Richards and Anthony Duclair has worked out so far for the rangers. The Rangers will be back to the Stanley cup not this season most likely but in the next few years as the Rangers age a little bit more and add a few more pieces they will be back and next time they will win it.
They have no problems in net having two solid goal tenders on the back end will provide stability for the rangers in the years to come. Their offense can only get better only missing a forward or two that could ignite their offense. And their defense needs to improve in front of Lundqvist limiting their opponent’s opportunities and blocking shots in front of Lundqvist. No team is immune to the Stanley Cup hangover but if the past is any indication Henrik Lundqvist will bounce back better than ever and show why he is the king in the net and the Rangers to show that last year was no fluke.
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