The old-time smiles and exuberance lasted through Super Bowl Sunday, but that was it.
Because after Henrik Lundqvist collected his first shutout since 2017 on Saturday in Detroit, he lasted just 40 minutes before being pulled en route to his Rangers’ 5-2 loss to the Stars on Monday night at the Garden.
Lundqvist allowed four goals on 15 shots before being replaced by Alex Georgiev to start the third period, the Rangers down, 4-2.
“It was a tough game to play, that’s for sure,” Lundqvist said.
The Rangers are working within the three-goalie system that is not ideal for any of them, and coach David Quinn made it clear that part of the equation is the “human element.