When facing elimination, Henrik Lundqvist becomes much tougher to beat.
AP Photo/Seth Wenig

When facing elimination, Henrik Lundqvist steps up. The Rangers goalie was at it again yesterday. With his team staring at possible playoff extinction for the third time this Spring, he elevated his play once more finishing with 36 saves in the club’s 3-1 Game 6 win over the Pens. So far, he’s a perfect 3-for-3 with a 1.00 goals-against-average (GAA) and .969 save percentage. From snyrangersblog.com: In his last 11 games, he’s 9-2 with a 1.35 GAA, .955 save percentage and two shutouts.

His biggest stop came on Brian Gibbons, who came in shorthanded but was denied by an aggressive Lundqvist, who got a piece of it with his glove. At the time, the Rangers were clinging to a 2-1 lead. The Pens pressed for the equalizer but never broke through. Instead, Derick Brassard scored a huge insurance goal. Lundqvist did the rest shutting down the Pens for a second consecutive game. Over the last two games, he’s allowed two goals on 69 shots (.971 save percentage).

When he makes 30 saves or more this playoffs, Lundqvist has posted a 4-1 record with a 1.39 GAA and .959 save percentage. When his team needs it most, he’s risen to the challenge. Many have questioned whether he can carry the Rangers on his back. Here he is again in a similar position as 2012. A win tomorrow would really go a long way to improving his postseason status.