Henrik Lundqvist called it a career on Friday, retiring from the NHL as he focuses on his health and life after hockey.
The longtime Rangers goalie underwent open-heart surgery in January. He signed a one-year deal with the Capitals before last season but was unable to play after being diagnosed with a heart condition in December.
Widely respected for his professionalism, productivity and longevity in New York, where he was known as the king, the 39-year-old Lundqvist announced his decision with a statement on Twitter.
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Lundqvist had a marvelous career over 15 years, every single one of them with the Rangers. The 2011-12 Vezina Trophy winner started 60 or more games nine times and 50 or more 12 times. He finished with 887 games, 459 wins, 64 shutouts, a 2.43 goals-against average, .918 save percentage, 61 playoff victories and a run to the 2014 Stanley Cup Final.
And, boy, did he torture the Flyers during his reign on Broadway.
Lundqvist went 35-19-5 with a 2.58 goals-against average, .914 save percentage and four shutouts in 61 career regular-season games against the Flyers. Martin Brodeur is the only goalie with more wins (50) against the Flyers, while Lundqvist owned more wins against only one other NHL team: the Devils (38). He faced the Flyers seven times in the playoffs, winning four of those games and posting a 2.11 goals-against average. That was in 2014, when Alain Vigneault and the Rangers went to the Cup Final.
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The Flyers no longer face Lundqvist when they visit Madison Square Garden, but they will always see his No. 30 in the rafters as the Rangers are set to retire his number this season.
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