Lundqvist bonds with former Giants quarterback on 'The Eli Manning Show'

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. --
Henrik Lundqvist
strolled onto the set of "The Eli Manning Show" inside the Legacy Club at MetLife Stadium in style. He was the only person there, in fact, wearing a jacket, tie, and cufflinks.

Not too much of a surprise, particularly to Manning, the former New York Giants quarterback, who did his research.
"A former teammate of yours (Brad Richards, 2011-14) told me you were the only person on late-night flights home who would sleep wearing the skin-tight suit with a tie on," Manning said, tongue in cheek, during his question-and-answer session with the New York Rangers retired goaltender.
The story was a bit exaggerated, of course, as Lundqvist would later admit, off camera, he did change into sweats upon boarding the plane but then change back into his suit just prior to arrival.
Lundqvist was the final guest on the final episode of "The Eli Manning Show" this season, which debuted on the

on Thursday.
Lundqvist was primed and ready for his fan-friendly discussion with the two-time Super Bowl MVP and champion.
It was epic. It was funny. It was ... competitive?

Manning was having his hair groomed by makeup artist Jessica Heady at the time of Lundqvist's arrival in a way only the five-time NHL All-Star would appreciate. After all, it's more about product and style than the actual cut.
The two sports legends ultimately made eye contact, shook hands, and along with show co-host and three-time Pro Bowl Giants center Shaun O'Hara, discussed retired life and memories of athletic greatness a few minutes before taping began. Show producer Don Sperling provided all the specifics of the easygoing format that would surely put Lundqvist at ease as a staff of 30 watched, listened and cheered.
Lundqvist was the first NHL guest booked of eight shows this season and this was the largest crew present for a taping, according to talent booker Melissa Chusid.
"I was really excited for this day with Henrik," Manning said. "We came to New York around the same time. I was drafted 2004, he came in 2005, and I got to follow his career as a goalie. And what an unbelievable career it was."
Lundqvist announced his retirement from the NHL on Aug. 20. He's the Rangers career leader in wins (459), shutouts (67), saves (23,509) and has played and started the most games in net (887 games, 752 starts).
The Rangers will retire No. 30 for Lundqvist before their game against the Minnesota Wild on Friday.
"I think the fans will love this show because when you're a sports fans in this area, whether Rangers, Giants ... there's a lot of crossover with the same fans and they're going to love seeing him," Manning said. "He's getting the sendoff he deserves and getting his jersey retired, so I think fans will love seeing his personality a little bit outside of playing hockey."

Manning had his No. 10 jersey retired during a special halftime ceremony Sept. 26 and also was inducted into the Giants Ring of Honor.
"I respected Eli's approach to the game," Lundqvist said. "His commitment to the game and his professionalism on and off the field were great. As an athlete, you appreciate that. His numbers speak for itself; he had a great career. I'm a sports fan, so anytime you have big athletes in the city, you follow them, support them and root for them. It was definitely fun to watch Eli and I was thrilled to be invited on the show."
Among the highlights during the Q&A:
-- Lundqvist was asked if he remembered his first NHL game. "I remember the crowd, the intensity and I remember they started chanting my name," Lundqvist said. It was then the show's production staff began chanting, "Hen-rik, Hen-rik."
-- Manning asked Lundqvist if he'd ever given his twin brother, former NHL forward
Joel Lundqvist
, an "atomic wedgy." "I've gotten my brother (Peyton Manning) a few times; it's got to rip," Manning explained. Lundqvist admitted to fighting his brother on occasion. "We had days where we just had so much energy. We're on the street playing street hockey and there were times we looked at each other and said, 'Want to fight?' We would fight until someone was bleeding and then we were friends."

-- Lundqvist was asked about wearing a goalie mask. "It felt like a safe place," Lundqvist said. "I never took it off. You see goalies take it off to get a drink, but my mask stayed on an entire game." Said Manning: "Why would you take it off? Your hair would be messed up."
-- Manning and Lundqvist exchanged jerseys. O'Hara even received an NHL jersey and the three hung out to take pictures with staff members to capture the day.
The segment ended with Manning challenging Lundqvist to a game of air hockey. Lundqvist won the best-of-3 in three games, including the final match in overtime.
"He got off to the big lead, I fired back, and it came down to the wire," Manning said. "He was all business, unbuttoning his jacket. He didn't want to lose that match, and I didn't want to lose either. But of course, it's my show, he's a guest, so I'm going to let him win."
Lundqvist saw it differently.
"It was more intense than I expected," he said. "Hey, when you retire, you don't have a lot of opportunities to win stuff, so you got to take advantage. It felt good to get the win."