Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers made the Stanley Cup Final in 2014. (Getty)
The New York Rangers — who currently own the top spot in the entire National Hockey League with 95 points — received good news on Tuesday when it was announced that franchise goalie Henrik Lundqvist had been medically cleared by doctors to begin practicing with the team immediately.
Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (vascular injury) has been cleared to practice http://t.co/TV0mxoJWtt http://t.co/8LX3xqqP4r
The Rangers have come together and played tighter and better in Lundqvist’s absence, but that shouldn’t discredit the enormity that this announcement will have on the rest of the league and for a team that is looking to repeat as Eastern Conference Champions and head back to the Stanley Cup Final.
Here else is what you need to know:
1. Lundqvist Had a Partially Torn Blood Vessel
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In a January 31st game against the Carolina Hurricanes, a rising shot hit Lundqvist square in the throat, but the goalie continued to play on and into the next game.
His neck snapping back so hard from the velocity of the shot is what caused the damage. Had Lundqvist continued to play, he would have risked suffering a stroke from the injury.
2. The Rangers Star Has Missed the Last 20 Games
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In that span, the Rangers have gone 15-2-3. Their two regulation losses have come against the Nashville Predators on February 7th and the Philadelphia Flyers on February 28th.
The Rangers are unbeaten in regulation in the month of March and own a 5-0-1 record.
3. Rangers Backup G Cam Talbot Has Been Excellent in Lundqvist’s Absence
Cam Talbot has looked good in 20 games this season for the New York Rangers. (Getty)
Nicknamed the “Goalbuster,” Lundqvist’s 6-foot-3 replacement has been a diamond in the rough for the Rangers, and has boosted his trade value to the rest of the league at the same time.
Cam Talbot is no backup anymore. What a job he’s done and stats are similar to soon-to-return Henrik. But should you pull a hot goalie? #NYR
In Lundqvist’s absence, Talbot has a 12-2-3 overall record and posted a .923 save percentage in his starts.
4. The Rangers Get Lundqvist Back at a Good Time
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Lundqvist has been skating and taking low shots for the last few weeks, so his return was never truly in doubt by the organization, however, with recent injuries to Kevin Klein and veteran-leader Martin St. Louis, the Rangers will be able to make up for those losses by returning their best player — besides Rick Nash.
1 step closer.. It’s been 6 long weeks, look forward to start practicing with the boys👍
The Rangers have had to deal with injuries to those three players as well as Dan Boyle, Derek Stepan, Rick Nash and Ryan McDonagh throughout the course of this season.
5. Hank’s Return is Set for Next Week
New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist makes a save against the Philadelphia Flyers earlier this season. (Getty)
The King’s return date set for Lundqvist is March 24th in a game against… the Los Angeles Kings, the team that defeated the Rangers in the 2014 Stanley Cup Final.