NHL scores 2017: Henrik Lundqvist has got his groove back

This season has really signaled the beginning of the end for Henrik Lundqvist. It’s hard to fathom, but we’re 12 years deep into Lundqvist’s career. As a goaltender at the age of 34, we’ve passed the halfway point of his NHL journey and it’s starting to show.

By no means is Lundqvist a bad goaltender, or even unsuitable for the NHL! Like everyone does eventually, however, he’s begun to show his age.

The 2016-17 season has been so far the worst of Lundqvist’s career. A .906 save percentage would be his lowest by far if the season ended today. His second-lowest over the last 12 years of his career? A .912 save percentage in 2007-08, just his third year in the NHL. Lundqvist has had a save percentage of .920 or more in eight of his 12 seasons. An incredible feat.

Lundqvist has had fits and starts this year, with his bad start to the year eclipsed by the fact that the Rangers were scoring at such a high clip that it didn’t matter. Now that the Rangers have cooled off, Lundqvist’s mistakes have been easier to see. The beginning of January was especially tough, as a six-game stretch saw Lundqvist put up a horrid .841 save percentage, leading him to be pulled from games in three straight.

Still, Lundqvist has bounced back recently, with starts of .920, 1.000, and .947 in his last three, including a solid effort on Monday against the Kings in which he allowed just two goals on 38 shots. It’s certainly a return to at least some form of equilibrium for Lundqvist, who desperately needed a sequence like this considering his start to 2017.

Maybe it’s been the addition of backup Antti Raanta that’s thrown off Lundqvist’s groove as the usually uncontested King of New York. More than likely, though, it’s that Lundqvist’s age has started to show. Even so, he’s got himself a little streak going. Woe to the Rangers upcoming opponents. The King is back.

Rangers 3, Kings 2
Capitals 6, Hurricanes 1
Maple Leafs 4, Flames 0
Ducks 3, Jets 2
Sharks 5, Avalanche 2
Coyotes 3, Panthers 2 (OT)

1. Calgary should start to worry

A combination of poor play and four hockey teams breathing down their necks for a wild card spot should have the Flames starting to get concerned. Calgary’s spot in the playoffs wasn’t a certainty with heavyweight teams like the Kings and Stars still on the outside looking in. Now, their third straight loss has cut their margin down to one point.

Maybe more concerning is how the goaltenders have been playing in recent games for the Flames, as they’ve allowed huge multi-goal leads to dominate the story.

2. Things are still rolling in Washington

An 8-7 loss to the Penguins last week aside, the Capitals have continued to roll on with three straight wins. Washington’s lost just one game in their last 13, and they’re outscoring their opponents by margins so wide that it’s almost comical.

Thanks to some more depth scoring from their middle six, the Capitals now have a points streak of 14 games and have taken the league lead away from the Blue Jackets. Someone’s always hot in the Metropolitan Division, it seems.

3. Jakob Chychrun is coming into his own

With a pair of assists, Chychrun has started to really make his presence known for the Coyotes. The 18-year-old defenseman was snakebitten after a strong offensive start to the season, then battled through some injury time. This past week has been a real good treat for Coyotes fans as to what their 2016 first-round pick can blossom into.

Patrick Marleau exploded for four goals in the third period against the Avalanche, putting him three below 500 for his career.