Robin Lehner (AP)
OUTCLASSED: Henrik Lundqvist, who made 36 saves during the Rangers’ 3-2 loss, was beaten by the Senators and Robin Lehner (inset), who is the son of the King’s goaltending instructor in Sweden. (
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This wasn’t as much the pupil defeating the mentor, but the mentor’s son defeating the pupil.
Or, if you’re scoring (which the Rangers rarely do if Rick Nash isn’t on the ice), it was Ottawa goaltender Robin Lehner, whose father Michael was Henrik Lundqvist’s goaltending instructor in Sweden, coming out on top of The King and the Blueshirts 3-2 last night at the Garden.
“It was pretty cool for me to play against Robin; I’ve known him since he was 12 years old,” Lundqvist said after the match in which the Rangers wilted over the final 12 minutes and thus failed to extend their winning streak to five games. “I’m sure it was special for him, too.”
Lehner, who at 21 is 10 years Lundqvist’s junior, said Thursday had been a nerve-wracking day, as he anticipated facing The King.
The Ottawa goaltender, who made a spectacular, lunging point-blank save on Derek Stepan at 6:43 of the third that not only preserved a 2-2 tie but ignited a Senators’ surge that lasted the rest of the way, reported that his dad had found a way to watch the game while on vacation in Sweden, even as the match commenced at 1 a.m. his time.
Lundqvist, who sure held up his end of the bargain while the Rangers were outshot 15-5 over the final 14:30, worked under the senior Lehner throughout his five years in the Swedish Elite League that preceded his journey to North America and the NHL.
“He was not a goaltender, but he is very smart and understands the game very well,” said Lundqvist, who yielded the winner to 22-year-old countryman Jakob Silfverberg with 4:41 remaining when the winger slipped behind Michael Del Zotto to bury a rebound.
“He has been involved in sports for just about his whole life. He is very committed.”
The Rangers committed repeated turnovers and giveaways over the final 13 minutes, and were unable to move through the neutral zone. They were outmuscled and outhustled a night after their 3-2 overtime victory on the Island.
Perhaps coincidence but more likely not, but without coach John Tortorella’s boot camp of a preseason, the Rangers are 0-3 on the second night of back-to-backs after going 9-2-2 last season and 12-6 (with a 9-0 start) in such situations two years ago.
Ah, the lockout … which Lundqvist spent in Sweden while the elder Lehner shot pucks at him on almost daily basis.
“Benny is my coach, he’s the one who I work with,” said The King, referring to the Rangers’ Benoit Allaire. “I don’t have the same style that I had when I was in Sweden, I’ve changed as a goaltender, and [Michael Lehner] understands that.
“He understands that I have adjusted my game. He is a friend.”
Lundqvist was unable to place his stamp on the match despite an outstanding effort. Perhaps it is poetic justice that on Thursday, Lundqvist will be honored as one of four hockey players whose pictures will appear on stamps in Sweden, joining Nicklas Lidstrom, Borje Salming and national team hero Jorgen Jonsson, the brother of Kenny Jonsson.
“I don’t know if I deserve it, but I am very proud to be recognized in this way,” Lundqvist said. “It means a lot.
The goaltender’s face then broke into a smile that almost masked the disappointment of defeat.
“The next time I send you a letter, you should check the stamp,” he said. “You never know.”