There’s a lull in offseason action for the New York Rangers, and now’s a good time to look back on their history considering they just completed a campaign which was all about their centennial season and the greats of the franchise. The Rangers have had so many great goaltenders man the net throughout their 100-year history, and to sum it all up with just three names is a tough task, but the best of all time is an obvious answer.

Let’s get right into it.

3. Ed Giacomin

“Eddie, Eddie, Eddie.” Those three words still echo the greatness that is Madison Square Garden, and Ed Giacomin last suited up for the Blueshirts during the 1975-76. season He transcended the game of hockey, becoming a permanent fixture up in the rafters with his No. 1 jersey retired for all to see.

Back when goalies did not wear masks, and equipment was less than half of what a skater wears out on the ice today, Giacomin was a Hall of Famer. He ranks third in wins with 267 wins, and his 49 shutouts put him in second all-time. He passed away before the start of this past season, and unfortunately wasn’t able to take part in the festivities that honored him and his role in Blueshirts history.

2. Mike Richter

This is where things get interesting. Mike Richter is basically the Rangers’ second-best goaltender of all time due to statistics and impact on the game, but he holds one accolade that not many goaltenders have. And, he has it over who will be the best Rangers goaltender of all-time down below.

A Stanley Cup.

The Cup run in 1993-94 was magical and spectacular, and Richter was the center of it all. That season, he was 42-12-6 in the regular season with five shutouts. Then, in the playoffs, he held a 16-7 record with four more shutouts and a save percentage of .921.

Richter’s career was cut short due to injuries, and had he remained healthy, there’s a good chance he would have been able to compile enough stats to be worth of induction in the Hockey Hall of Fame. His career will remain a great what if, but he is properly celebrated in New York by The Garden faithful.

1. Henrik Lundqvist

Like Giacomin, the best goaltender in Rangers history has his own chant, nickname and legacy that can only fit a “King”. Henrik Lundqvist is that goalie, and there will be very little that come after him that can match his aura.

The suits, how he shreds the guitar and his larger-than-life persona make him a true New Yorker. Couple that with being the franchise’s leader in wins, shutouts, and games played, both in the regular season and in the playoffs. At the time of his retirement, he ranked sixth on the NHL’s all-time win list with 459, and for the time being is the winningest European born goaltender in league history.

His career post retirement has seen him make an immense impact as an analyst on television, and it is no surprise that he’s found yet another thing he can do better than almost anyone else.

Nobody does it like King Henrik.

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