Lundqvist seems to have fixed pretty much all his leaks
A few seasons ago, he would let in a lot of frustrating soft goals.
This season.. His glove hand, which he used to always get beat on looks like one of the best I've ever seen. He comes out and challenges shooters now when it's appropriate to do so. And most importantly, he hasn't opened up any new weaknesses.
I agree that Hank has been rock solid all year long. I still think he's a little weak high to the blocker side (as are most goalies). When he was being interviewed last night he said that the D tries to take away anything to that side and leave the shots to the glove side. All in all he's the best goalie in the world and he finally has a defense to help him out.
I think it's more than just that. He was overwhelmed in previous seasons from lack of offense, defense and having to play just about every game.
This year the defense is letting him breath and he's getting much more rest than usual. He's more relaxed and just having more fun out there. I think that's the biggest difference, although he has improved his game also.
His glove hand has improved immensely from a few seasons ago. More than anything you've got to admire and appreciate Lundqvist's work ethic. He's been one of the best goalies in the league since the lockout and continues to work on the weak points in his game. Really happy that for the first time in his career he doesn't need to carry the team every single game.
remember when his glove was horrendous? whatever happened to that?
didn't he say he switched gloves or something and it helped out immensely.
His glove hand was never bad, when he flashed it he usually made the save. It was just that the technique he used at times was just a bit... odd. There were times that instead of just snapping his glove up, he would like lean it against his leg pad and lift his leg up, as if he was more concerned about the puck squeezing through under his glove than over. It made him more vulnerable under the bar. Only rarely when it was a rocket of a shot did he just throw his glove up. I feel like most of the times it happened was against Ovechkin.
One thing I noticed is that if you shoot right above his left pad in the shootout, you will score. But that's not a big deal because shootouts are rare.
__________________
"Trust me I'm an expert, I watched 13 rangers games on NHL center Ice this year through streaming." -Starburst
"I don't even understand what the point of all this arguing is. Are you guys hoping that the other side is going to have an epiphany and go 'Oh, OH! You're right, we ARE going to lose this series!'" -Crease
About two seasons ago, Lundqvist switched from a stiff glove to a softer glove. That's probably why his glove hand has improved so much.
Quote:
And about Lundqvist’s glove…
In Lundqvist’s first seasons with the Rangers, he used a glove that was deliberately so stiff he could not close it around the puck, think of it as a jai alai catcher. Or another blocker.
“It was like a double blocker,” Lundqvist said. “I could catch some pucks but mostly I used it like a blocker.”
Lundqvist switched to a softer, more flexible glove two seasons ago. Now, the thought of using a stiff glove seems odd to him.
“When I pick up that glove now, it amazes me. It’s really stiff,” Lundqvist said.
One thing I noticed is that if you shoot right above his left pad in the shootout, you will score. But that's not a big deal because shootouts are rare.
Debbies fans seem to have a bigger problem with Hank than we have against the Flopper.
haha yea no clue why hes flopping around this year. Old man I guess, but its getting annoying. Anyway, as a hockey fan first, I have to say that Henrik is playing insane and if he continues this type of play, and somehow doesnt get the Vezina, there is something wrong with the voting system. Watched that game last night and kept finding myself going.. What the ****! esp after that save on Boyes
