The New York Rangers own a 2-0 Eastern Conference Finals series lead over the Montreal Canadiens largely due to the heroics of Henrik Lundqvist in the crease, but defenseman P.K. Subban has attributed something else to the success of the Blueshirts: luck.
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The Canadiens defenseman and top scorer thus far in these playoffs hasn't had much fortune himself against Lundqvist, but the blueliner believes luck is at least part of the reason for why he and his teammates have remained mostly stymied.
"Sometimes the puck just doesn't go in," Subban told the Daily News following the Canadiens 3-1 Game 2 loss on Monday. "In the past, we've done those same things and the puck's gone in. So I mean, is [Lundqvist] playing well? Yeah, but we're doing a good job. Some of it is luck, as well. He's getting a little bit lucky, but that's what you need in the playoffs."
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Subban attempted eight shots -- nine of which were turned away by Lundqvist -- as New York's netminder turned away 40 shots Monday night along with any past notions that he couldn't play at Bell Centre in Montreal, where the Rangers won 7-2 and then 3-1 to take a 2-0 series lead home to Madison Square Garden.
Lundqvist has five straight wins dating back to the Rangers comeback from being down 3-1 in Round 2 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. 'The King' has 162 saves on 168 shots while allowing six goals and putting up a 1.20 goals-against average and a .964 save percentage during that streak.
Lundqvist is 10-6 this postseason and leads the entire playoffs with a .934 save percentage while also ranking second in GAA with a 1.93 mark.
Subban, meanwhile, has led the Canadiens and all NHL defenseman in these playoffs with 12 points off of four goals and eight assists.
The Habs could be getting frustrated with Lundqvist after scoring just three goals in 120 minutes against the Rangers netminder thus far, but Lundqvist wasn't looking too much into it.
"I don't really think about what's in their head, what is their approach. I don't really care," Lundqvist said of the Canadiens, according to the Daily News. "I try to just focus on what I have to do, really."
The series shifts to New York on Thursday night for Game 3, perhaps a change of scenery will provide Subban and the Canadiens with the luck that has eluded them.
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