Rangers-Capitals: Henrik Lundqvist Is Rangers' Saving Grace, Despite Loss

Henrik Lundqvist is not used to losing.

In fact, in four international competitions the New York Rangers' goaltender has gone home with no worse than a Silver Medal. His success in the United States is equally impressive.

After joining the Rangers in the post-lockout season, Lundqvist set franchise records for wins as a rookie, was nominated for the Vezina, and was nearly a Calder Trophy finalist (eventually going to Washington Capitals' star Alex Ovechkin). The Rangers have yet to miss the playoffs with the Swede in net.

Lundqvist's regular season success has transferred well to the postseason. The Rangers have failed to make it past the first round only once in his short tenure. This occurred in spring 2006 against the New Jersey Devils who swept New York.

However, should the Rangers continue to play the way they do, Henrik might end up winning much less, and losing his mind.

Washington fired 40 shots on goal in their Game Three win at Madison Square Garden and have tallied 110 shots in the series, not including some 60 shots the Rangers' defense have blocked thus far. 

The bruises are mounting in the Rangers' locker room, and the penalties haven't helped.  Including Sean Avery's misconduct penalty for taking a shot at Capitals' rookie goalie Simeon Varlamov, the Rangers have racked up 46 penalty minutes in only three games. This is as opposed to the Capitals' 32 which came mostly in Game Two.

Washington put together the second best power play unit during the regular season, and it hasn't made Lundquist's job easier. If it weren't for his heroics, Washington would likely be comfortably leading the series 3-0.

However, Lundqvist seems to shine when he's on the spot.

Lundqvist has stopped 102 of 110 shots so far in the series (a .927 Save Percentage) and has posted two wins including a shutout as he looks to rival his opening series performance against the Devils a year ago.

Despite Lundqvist's acrobatic and heady play, the Rangers have been dominated by the Capitals in all three games, and it finally showed in a Game Three beatdown that showed what the Capitals are capable of if they play solid defense and work the puck to the net.

Washington made Lundqvist move from side to side, they made him dive and sprawl for pucks, and surely made him sweat from the opening puck drop. 

All of those variables factored in to four nifty goals by the Capitals and an early exit for the Rangers faithful on Wednesday night, where fans waved blue glow sticks in the air to celebrate their team's performance in the first two games.

The World's Most Famous Arena became quiet just as quickly as it got loud, and if the rafters want to shake in Game Four on Wednesday, Lundqvist will have to find his game once again.