NHL Winter Classic 2012: Why Henrik Lundqvist Is the Best Goalie in the NHL

Today, Henrik Lundqvist only reinforced the fact that he is the best goaltender in the NHL. The elite netminder battled the outdoor elements throughout the game and stood tall against the second highest scoring team in the NHL. He stopped shots through traffic, he hugged the post on stuff-in tries by Flyers stars and he deflated the spirits of 40,000 strong at Citizens Bank Park when he stoned Danny Briere on a monumental penalty shot.

Elite goaltenders come through in the clutch. Lundqvist hasn't played this well since the 2006 Olympics. Lundqvist has always been a great goaltender with a mean competitive edge, but he hasn't looked this intensely focused in a long time. Lundqvist is oozing an attitude that tells opponents that they aren't scoring on him.

Hockey historians, experts and pundits all agree that the most important part of a hockey team is its goaltender. A team follows its goaltender onto the ice and they are often thought of as the team’s second leader after the team captain. On the Rangers, Henrik Lundqvist embodies what it means to be a true leader and backstop. 

If you asked most fans who the heart of the New York Rangers is, many—myself included—would answer Henrik Lundqvist. Up to this point, the success of the Rangers has fallen squarely on the shoulders of Lundqvist.

He has carried the burden of the team and the city of New York for six years now.

It doesn't matter what the score on the scoreboard is at any point in the game. If Lundqvist is in net, the Rangers have a great chance to win. He has been called King Henrik and he is continuing to live up to that nickname. Madison Square is his castle and the fans are members of his royal court.

When you watch Lundqvist play, you can understand why he is so valuable to the Rangers. 

Lundqvist is 5-0-0 in his last five starts, and he has only allowed six goals during that span. Today he recorded his 17th win against a very talented Flyers hockey team. Today's win was no walk in the park, no pun intended, as the Flyers came at the Rangers hard. However, Lundqvist's calm demeanor allowed him to secure the victory.

Lundqvist is now in the top five in goaltending statistics with a 1.92 goals against average and a .937 save percentage.

Henrik clearly has been the most valuable player for the Rangers this season. He has played a huge role in the success of this team. Lundqvist has a team-first mindset at all times. He expects perfection and hates to fail. It is this mindset that puts Lundqvist in an elite class. Goaltenders like recent Vezina and Conn Smythe winner Tim Thomas also have the same mindset. Thomas may be the only other goaltender that you could argue is better than Lundqvist.

Rangers fans obviously groaned when they became aware of the fact that the Flyers were awarded a penalty shot. However, most fans watching at home knew that Lundqvist was going to stop the puck. It was just this feeling that comes after watching Lundqvist steal game after game. Moments like today are so huge for a team.

It didn't matter that today was the Winter Classic. The only thing that mattered was two huge points were on the line against a key divisional opponent.  This win gives the Blueshirts some breathing room from the Flyers. The Rangers are now 24-9-4 with 52 points. They currently hold a four-point lead over the Flyers and a six-point lead over the Penguins.

No one is really surprised that Lundqvist is proving why he is the best goaltender in the game. He has put up amazing numbers in the past, but the major difference is now he has a team that is supporting him. Up until today, the Rangers had a rag-tag defensive core. Now that Marc Staal is back in the lineup, the Rangers and Lundqvist will be more defensively sound.

It is Lundqvist's consistency that gives him an edge over other goalies. Looking at his career numbers, Lundqvist is the only goaltender in the history of the league to start a career with six consecutive 30-win seasons. That statistic is paramount when looking at Lundqvist's consistency. The Rangers can always expect him to put his best effort on the ice. 

It is still too early to look at playoff berths or conference seedings, but Lundqvist's play is very inspiring. A game like hockey is so fickle that an errant puck or bounce can change the landscape of a game or series.

However, there are two things that can be said.

One thing is that the New York Rangers will lock up a playoff spot before the last day of the season, and secondly, Henrik Lundqvist truly is the best goalie in the NHL today.

Tom Urtz is an NHL Featured Columnist.

For more NHL free-agent news, updates and alerts about players: