NHL Playoffs 2012: Why Henrik Lundqvist Has Silenced His Critics

Since entering the NHL during the 2005-06 season with the New York Rangers, Henrik Lundqvist has worked his way up to the level he's currently playing at: one of the best—if not the best—netminders in the NHL.

No one can argue the regular season success Lundqvist has had in his seven-year career thus far. Exceptional play in net, several Vezina nominations (including this season, along with the Hart Trophy for league MVP) and even leading his home country of Sweden to Olympic gold in 2006.

The only thing to elude Henrik Lundqvist is a Stanley Cup. And, depending on who you ask, clutch performances in the playoffs.

Before the 2012 NHL playoffs began, Lundqvist had a reputation perpetuated by some of being only a regular-season performer. He couldn't win the big game. He couldn't carry his team on his back in the postseason. His performance in this year's playoffs would either further the detractors or go a long way in eliminating them.

Critics had their numbers to back them up.

In his rookie season, Lundqvist and the Rangers were swept out of the playoffs by the New Jersey Devils—the team New York will face in this year's Eastern Conference finals—but no one expected that team to do anything as they were picked in the preseason to finish dead last.

That was followed up with second-round exits by the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres in consecutive seasons from 2006 to 2008. The Washington Capitals became Lundqvist's personal obstacle, losing in the first round of the 2009 playoffs in Game 7 after being up 3-1 in the series as well as losing in five games to Washington last season.

If you're being objective, Lundqvist was arguably the best player on those teams and had little support around him. It's true you need your goaltender to steal a couple games, possibly even a series, to go deep in the playoffs. It's hard if you're the only game-changer on your team.

Before this year's encounter with the Capitals, Lundqvist boasted these stats (via @ThePeerless) in elimination games, further fueling the debate against Lundqvist:

"

In four games in which Lundqvist could have eliminated Caps, he is 0-4, 3.95, .840, and was pulled twice.

— ThePeerless (@ThePeerless) May 11, 2012"

So far, through 14 playoff games—including last night's 2-1 victory in Game 7 to eliminate the Caps for the first time in his career and exorcise some personal playoff demons—Lundqvist has been every bit of his nickname of "The King," with a 1.68 goals against, .937 save percentage and one shutout. If not for some heroics during the second period last night, we may be talking about a Devils-Capitals matchup in the next round. 

As a team, the Blueshirts have gone above and beyond expectations to make it to the Conference finals. Most experts had them at least another year away from being Stanley Cup contenders. But after a brilliant and special season, New York has been a top team nearly all season and has a chance to ride those good vibes to the Cup finals for the first time since 1994.

None of that would be possible without Henrik Lundqvist. Yes, he was a regular season stud, but now you can add the title of postseason performer to his extensive list of accomplishments.

The work is nowhere near over and Hank knows that more than anyone. A loss to the Devils in the next round would be disappointing on the back of what the team has accomplished so far. However, he can let it sink in a bit that he's finally gotten the playoff monkey off his back. That may be a dangerous idea—a more focused Henrik Lundqvist could mean trouble for the rest of the NHL.