Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Rangers smother Bruins in clash of East contenders

Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan Callahan, Milan Lucic

New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30), of Sweden, dives for a save as right wing Ryan Callahan (24) checks Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17) away from the puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Boston, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

AP

On a big night of NHL games, the New York Rangers made a serious argument that they’re the best team in the Eastern Conference.

The first-ranked Rangers topped the second place Boston Bruins 3-0 thanks in large part to Henrik Lundqvist’s brilliance. The superb Swede stopped all 42 Bruins shots while New York scored three on just 20 attempts against defending Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas.

(This is probably a good time to note that Lundqvist hasn’t won a Vezina in his otherwise distinguished career.)

Sure, the shutout had its odd moment as what seemed like a Bruins goal actually went in a little hole in the side of the net, but that’s all that “got past” Lundqvist. Maybe it’s extreme to say that this was a statement game overall, but it certainly could qualify as such for Lundqvist.

The Ryans (Callahan and McDonagh) once again scored a goal apiece as the Rangers frustrated the Bruins.

This inspires two nearly unavoidable questions:

1. Is Lundqvist running away with the Vezina right now?

2. Does this prove that the Rangers are indeed the best team in the East at the moment? If not, who’s your choice?