New York Rangers Goaltender Martin Biron Quickly Becoming a Huge Team Asset

The Rangers won their second straight game Monday night, defeating the Calgary Flames 2-1.

The starting goalie for the second straight game was offseason acquisition, Martin Biron.

Biron started for the Rangers Saturday night, when they defeated the Minnesota Wild 5-2, and last night for their 2-1 victory over the Flames.

When Biron was signed on July 1, 2010 to a two-year deal worth $875,000 per-season, he was expected to be the Rangers' backup goaltender and start anywhere between 15 and 18 games for the Rangers. This would leave the Rangers number one goalie, Henrik Lundqvist, to play around 65 games this season.

Well, Biron has already started seven games (out of 22) and he holds a solid record of 5-2-0 on the season.

Biron has only had one poor game this season for the Rangers and that was in his second start of the season (the Rangers lost to the Thrashers).

Though Biron is playing extremely well for the Rangers, I do not think he will steal Henrik Lundqvist's job as the number one goalie (though it is possible). However, if Biron can continue to play this sharp throughout the season, he will play more than 18 games.

In last night's 2-1 victory, Biron made 31 saves, many of them coming at critical moments and of highlight-reel variety.

Almost every team in the NHL would love to have a strong "second" goalie like the Rangers do in Martin Biron. The Rangers are lucky enough to own a huge asset like that and they are taking advantage of it.

Biron will be a key part of this New York Rangers team and he will be a huge reason the Rangers return to the playoffs this season.

Henrik Lundqvist is expected to start Wednesday night in Tampa Bay, but there is always the possibility that Martin Biron is given the start.