Martin Biron got the start in nets for the second straight game when the Rangers faced the Flames last night at the Garden, but John Tortorella made it abundantly clear that Henrik Lundqvist remains the club’s unchallenged No. 1 goaltender.
No controversy here.
“This is not a two-goalie system; it isn’t a 1 and 1A, it’s not that Marty is playing well so we’re going to rotate; that is not going to happen,” Tortorella said during the club’s morning skate. “Hank is our No. 1 goaltender, no question, and we’re going to ride him.
“He has to be the backbone of this team for us to get where we want to go.”
Lately, though, the backbone has bent while the backup has been sturdy. It is this combination of Lundqvist’s inconsistency and Biron’s solid work that prompted Tortorella to give Biron his eighth start in the season’s first 22 games, resulting in a 2-1 victory over the Flames.
“I don’t want to make a big deal out of it,” said Lundqvist, who remained on the ice for an additional half hour following the skate to work on his game with goaltending instructor Benoit Allaire. “Of course I want to play. I love to play, that’s why I’m here, but I don’t want to be selfish.
“It’s about the team. Marty is playing well and we’re winning. I said before the season I would have to earn my minutes. It doesn’t matter about the past.”
Biron said that while he’s played a bit more than he expected, it’s his job to be ready whenever he’s called on by the coach.
“It’s everybody’s job to get their work done, whether you’re on the first line or the fourth, you have to respond when asked,” said Biron. “The key for me this year, whether I play a lot or once every two weeks, is what I do in the practices between games.
“I’ve had nothing but a great relationship and partnership with Henrik since the first day. We hit it off right away. This will make us both stronger. We need everybody pulling his weight.”
Lundqvist, who has readily admitted disappointment with his game, said that the key for him is, “making better decisions.
“I have to make better decisions all the time,” he said. “If you make two bad decisions, that can be two bad goals.”
Tortorella said he recognizes that there will come a point where he’ll have to allow Lundqvist to work out the kinks so that he can get on a roll that’s so far eluded the No. 1 who wears No. 30.
“Hank is going to play in Tampa [tomorrow],” Tortorella said. “We’re going to allow Hank to work through this. I believe he’s going to get his game together and this is going to be a non-subject.
“Hank is a competitor, he’s going to be fine. It’s a good situation we have with our backup playing well. It’s going to be good for Hank now and for later.”