Henrik Lundqvist: 6 Reasons NY Rangers Goalie Should Be the MVP

We have seen some outstanding performances this season, but only one man can receive the Naismith Award for the National Collegiate Basketball Player of the Year. 

Unlike last season, which essentially featured a two man race for POY between Jimmer Fredette and Kemba Walker; this year is wide open. It is going to come down to the last few weeks of the season, and who can perform at the highest level.

Here are my top five candidates to receive the 2012 National Player of the Year Award.

Save Percentage

First and foremost, Lundqvist has been phenomenal at stopping hoards of shots this season. He is 12th in shots-against out of NHL goalies, and leads the league in save percentage.

He has stopped 93.9 percent of the shots he has faced, which is 1,074 out of 1,144.

The league average is 91.4 percent, so if Lundqvist was giving up goals at the average rate, he would have given up 98 goals so far this season, instead of his incredible 70. Those 28 non-goals have helped the Rangers significantly when they have struggled on the offensive end.

Shutouts

If the other team doesn't score, they can't win.

Lundqvist has a league-best six shutouts through 38 games. The most recent of these was a 1-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres in which he stopped all 34 shots he faced.

Since the Rangers have had trouble scoring at times, having confidence that your goaltender has the ability to shut a team out goes a long way.

Goals Against Average at Home

Lundqvist has an amazing 1.82 goals-against average. However, what is really impressive is his goals-against average in home games.

At Madison Square Garden, Lundqvist has only given up 32 goals in 18 games for a goals-against average of 1.75.

This is critical to a team that looks like they will host some playoff games and wants to maintain an aura of invincibility at home.

Domination of Division

The Atlantic Division cannot figure out Lundqvist.

He is 8-2 in divisional games with a 1.71 goals against average and a save percentage of 94.7.

Since these are the most crucial games for the Rangers, the fact that Lundqvist brings out his best net-minding for these games says a lot about his value to the organization.

Improvement over Time

Sometimes MVP candidates are viewed based on year-end statistics, but I think it's important to note that Lundqvist's numbers are continuously getting better, meaning he is playing better hockey as each game becomes more important.

In his 17 games during October and November, Lundqvist had a 2.12 goals against average and a save percentage of 93.2.

In his 21 games since, he has had a goals against average of 1.62 and a 94.5 percent save percentage.

This improvement has helped New York gain firm control of the Eastern Conference.

Uniqueness

Since Geno Malkin is the only skater on pace for 100 points this season, it seems likely that a goaltender could take the MVP trophy.

Lundqvist's situation is unique since he has had such little offensive support throughout the season and has still somehow managed to help the Rangers into the top spot in the conference.

No player has been as valuable to his team as Henrik Lundqvist has been to the New York Rangers.