The people closest to great players are the ones who like to look past the physical talents and deeper into what constitutes that greatness.
So as Martin Biron sat in his stall yesterday morning at the Rangers practice facility in Greenburgh, the backup goalie waxed poetic about the man in front of him on the depth chart, Henrik Lundqvist.
“I always say the most impressive thing is not what he does physically, but his focus and readiness,” said Biron, who in his 15th start of the season lost to the Blackhawks, 4-2, at Madison Square Garden. “His preparation and his ability to focus are just amazing.”
In his past eight games, Lundqvist was 7-1-0 with a 1.10 goals-against average, including three shutouts. He was tied for the fewest losses in regulation among qualifying goalies (11), solidifying the case for his first Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best netminder.
Lundqvist has at times carried the Rangers and their not-so-potent offense to the top spot in the Eastern Conference — with some ample separation between themselves and the defending Stanley Cup champion Bruins — making the Presidents Trophy for most points in the NHL a distinct possibility.
“I’ve played with some pretty good goalies,” said Biron, 34, who has been in the league since 1995 and played for years in Buffalo with Dominik Hasek. “Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the consistency that he’s shown this year.
“It’s really hard to do it for one game and he’s done it for [42], and there’s not sign of stopping.”
Since Biron signed on as a free agent last season, the two goalies, along with goalie coach Beniot Allaire, have become inseparable.
“The first day,” Biron said, “I knew we would work well together.”
Now, with Biron’s light-hearted French-Canadian nature and experience, along with Lundqvist’s evolution into the game’s best backstop, the tandem feeds off each other.
“The play of Biron rubs off on Hank, both ways” said coach John Tortorella. “They’re such good teammates, in such a crucial position in our game, I think they help one another.”
Although Biron is older and has more experience, he relishes the chance to learn from Lundqvist, 29, who has a 1.77 GAA overall this season. That total is bested by only one goalie who has played more than 25 games, Brian Elliot of the Blues, who had a 1.63 in 26 games before last night’s game against the Islanders in St. Louis.
“I hope he’s learned one-tenth of what I’ve learned the other way,” Biron said. “We have a great friendship.”