NHL

Rangers’ Lundqvist overtakes Giacomin for most shutouts

The shutout was the second of the season and, including six in the playoffs, the 51st of Henrik Lundqvist’s career, thus allowing him to surpass Ed Giacomin at the Rangers’ all-time leader in that category.

“Of course it is a big deal to me,” said The King, who said jokingly that goaltending coach Benoit Allaire had been “bugging” him the last couple of weeks to get it. “[Giacomin] has meant a lot to the organization, so it’s exciting.”

Lundqvist, who started the final 14 games of the year, 23 of the final 24, and 43 of 48 overall, said he has had the chance to chat fairly often with Giacomin, who attends a number of games as a member of the alumni.

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“[Former players] keep coming back,” the goaltender said. “You learn about the traditions and understand why we’re here. That’s what I love about the organization.”

* Rick Nash will be making his second trip to the playoffs, his only prior experience coming in 2009 as a 24-year-old when his Blue Jackets were swept in the first round by the Red Wings.

“It’s what I signed up for,” said Nash, who waived his no-move clause in order to join the Rangers in a trade last July. “It’s what it’s all about. There’s not a bigger stage.“I think great athletes love the pressure. You look at guys around the league and when a lot of pressure’s on them, they produce at a better rate. I’m sure most of the guys in this room understand what it’s like to play in the playoffs here, but I’ll find out fast.”

Asked if he had memories from his lone prior NHL playoff series, Nash responded, “No.”

* Brad Richards, who had a pair of assists in the Rangers’ 4-0 win over the Devils Saturday to finish the season with 11 points (five goals, six assists) in the final five games, likened linemate Mats Zuccarello to Tampa Bay’s dynamic and diminutive star, Martin St. Louis.

“Ah, no,” said Zuccarello of the comparison with the 2004 Hart and Art Ross winner who was leading the league in points before last night’s game. “I don’t want that much [pressure] on me.

“I’m not quite there.”