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Deep Blue Sea: Rangers retire Henrik Lundqvist’s no. 30 in pregame ceremony

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Jan 28, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers former goalie Henrik Lundqvist speaks to the crowd during a ceremony to retire his number before a game against the Minnesota Wild at Madison Square Garden.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Plus Machine Gun Kelly to perform at the ASG, the Sabres have no goalies, a Joe Thornton retrospective and more in today’s news and notes.

King Henrik’s reign is officially over.

While the netminder hadn’t been under contract with the New York Rangers since the 2019-20 season, having played his entire career with the club until that point made it certain that when the day would come, Henrik Lundqvist would retire as a Ranger.

Last night, when the Rangers hosted the Minnesota Wild, Lundqvist’s no. 30 was raised to the rafters in a pregame ceremony honoring his career. It is the 11th number to be retired by the Rangers organization.

This moment is what got to me. Lundqvist dropped the ceremonial puck — most nights, that pretend faceoff is taken by team captains, but fellow former-Ranger, Mats Zuccarello, took the faceoff for Minnesota, alongside his friend. This hug is when the tears started:

“It’s a huge day for him and his family,’’ Zuccarello told the Star Tribune. “Knowing him for so long, it’s going to be cool for me to experience that and be a part of that.’’

Read more about the ceremony and King Henrik’s incredible career linked below.

News & Notes

Blood in the Water

  • Henrik Lundqvist’s no. 30 retired by the New York Rangers in emotional pregame ceremony [RMNB]
  • New York Rangers raise Henrik Lundqvist’s No. 30 to rafters: ‘This is home’ [ESPN]
  • Tonight Henrik Lundqvist Gets The Sendoff He Earned and Deserves [Blueshirt Banter]
  • Return to New York means Mats Zuccarello can attend friend’s ‘retirement party’ [Star Tribune]
  • NHL Star Power Index: Igor Shesterkin taking the league by storm; David Pastrnak continues torrid month [CBS Sports]
  • Machine Gun Kelly Set to Perform at 2022 NHL All-Star Game [Loudwire]
  • Duhatschek notebook: This NHL season’s surprises, disappointments plus Hart Trophy thoughts [The Athletic]
  • Sabres could be without top six goalies against Coyotes on Saturday [NHL.com]
  • Kraken at Islanders postponed, rescheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 2 [NHL.com]
  • NHL 22’s huge update today adds national teams — women included [Polygon]
  • Source: PHFPA and Alex Sinatra to Part Ways [The Ice Garden]
  • Where to visit in Buffalo for the All-Star Showcase [The Ice Garden]
  • How to Watch Ice Hockey at the Beijing Olympics | Full Schedule, Times, Where to Watch [MLive]
  • W. MI hockey official lacing up for her first Olympic Games [Wood TV]

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