https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb_aT7V_QSA

It’s easy to forget that lost in their 7-3 win in Game 6 over the Lightning to force a deciding Game 7 Friday at MSG, Henrik Lundqvist made a huge save denying Steven Stamkos on a Tampa power play. Ryan Callahan perfectly set him up for what could’ve been the tying goal. Instead, he makes a incredible kick out to stone Stamkos.

Following Lundqvist’s clutch stop on a successful penalty kill, Keith Yandle scored to put the Blueshirts up 2-0. I can’t say enough how crucial that save was. It allowed them to maintain the lead. Something they had from the 3:36 mark of the first period thanks to Derick Brassard’s first of three. It definitely allowed them to relax. But without Lundqvist, it’s not possible. He was terrific in the second turning back all 13 Bolts shots with a couple of more big ones denying Callahan and Brian Boyle.

It’s in those moments that he reminds every Blueshirt fan why we love him. Because he wants to win. For a while, he carried them. Then they exploded in the third finally allowing their bread and butter to breathe. They’ll need him again to prevail Friday.