After a beautiful ceremony, the New York Rangers hoisted goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist’s number 30 to the heights of Madison Square Garden on Friday evening.
The Swede was honored by the organization with which he spent the 15 seasons of his career before the duel against the Minnesota Wild. The 39-year-old retired from professional hockey in 2021 after a campaign he was supposed to play with the Washington Capitals but was marred by heart issues.
Rangers rolled out the blue carpet to pay a heartfelt tribute to Lundqvist, who received several gifts from the organization. Several legends and current franchise players also posed alongside the former doorman. The members of the Rangers all wore the number 30 for the occasion.
In an interview with his former teammate Michael Rupp before the ceremony, “King Henrik” expressed his pride in seeing his famous jersey being retired by his lifelong team.
“When you’re playing, you don’t think about that,” Lundqvist said candidly. I attended maybe eight of these ceremonies. I was lucky to be there for Messier, Graves, Richter, Bathgate, etc. […] The Rangers are a team that values their history a lot. They are part of the original six. It’s special for me to be a part of it now.”
The former Blueshirts’ seventh-round pick (205th overall) is the organization’s 11th player to have his number retired. He is the third goaltender to receive this honor, after Ed Giacomin and Mike Richter.
Zuccarello stands out
At the ceremonial face-off, Lundqvist dropped the puck between his compatriot Mika Zibanejad and his former teammate Mats Zuccarello. Still very popular in New York, the Norwegian helped the Wild win 3-2.
Zuccarello found the back of the net on the power play in the second period. He was also an accomplice on the winning goal, scored by Quebecer Frédérick Gaudreau. Kevin Fiala was the visitors’ other goalscorer.
Rangers started the game well, taking a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes. Chris Kreider, who has been shooting all kinds of lately, notably scored his 31st goal of the season by shooting between his skates, with his back to Cam Talbot’s net.
Adam Fox absent from the all-star game?
Of the current Rangers players, defenseman Adam Fox has stood out the most lately. The latter, however, suffered an upper body injury against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, and could have to give up on the All-Star game.
Head coach Gerard Gallant said Friday that the former Norris Trophy winner is expected to miss the next three games.
“Yes [une blessure] had to happen, it’s the perfect time. We expect him to come back after the break,” the Prince Edward Island native said at a press conference.
The All-Star Game break is Feb. 3-6, while New York returns to action Feb. 15 against the Boston Bruins.
The young Braden Schneider took place alongside Ryan Lindgren against the Wild, replacing Fox. The star guard has 47 points in 44 games this season.