Antti Raanta to make third straight start

NEW YORK -- New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is not used to being a healthy backup for multiple games in a row but said he supports Antti Raanta, who will make his third straight start when the Rangers play the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on Sunday (7 p.m. ET; MSG, MSG+, NHL.TV).
The last time Lundqvist served as a healthy backup for three straight games was Dec. 22-27, 2013, when Cam Talbot was the starter.

"I think you know by now I like to play, that's how I get into a nice rhythm, but it's hard to argue when Antti's playing that well," Lundqvist said before the game Sunday. "I understand, and it's about what's best for the team right now. It's not about me. I just need to keep my focus on what I can control, and that's my own game, what I do in practice and how I prepare. I'll support the team when I'm not playing, so that's the most important thing right now."
Rangers coach Alain Vigneault opted to stick with Raanta after he allowed one goal on 44 shots in back-to-back wins at the Winnipeg Jets (2-1) on Thursday and at the Chicago Blackhawks (1-0) on Friday.

"[Raanta] has been pretty consistent," Vigneault said. "He's a goaltender that likes to challenge the shooters, and I'm very confident, as is the team, that when he's in goal he's going to give you the best he's got.
"[Lundqvist], like all our players, have a team-first attitude, and right now there's no doubt that Antti is playing real well and deserves to play. I love Hank, but I love the team more, and right now Antti is on top of his game."
Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh admitted he was surprised that Lundqvist wasn't starting but understands why Vigneault is giving Raanta another opportunity.
"[Lundqvist] has played a lot of games against the Devils, but right now he's doing the right thing of being supportive of our team and supportive as a teammate," McDonagh said. "We know that he'll be in the net again soon, and when that happens, we're going to be excited for him and he's going to come ready to play.
"But right now [Raanta] has been playing well and making some clutch saves in big moments as far as our last win in Chicago, and he was a real calming presence in Winnipeg. Hopefully, it's another repeat performance [against New Jersey]."
Lundqvist has started every game against the Devils at MSG for the past 10 seasons (25 games) and is 34-16-7 with a 1.90 goals-against average, a .931 save percentage and eight shutouts in 57 games against New Jersey.
He said he will continue to work on the little things in practice and remain prepared for his next start, whenever that may be. Lundqvist last played in a 4-2 loss at the New York Islanders on Dec. 6.

"If [Raanta] didn't play that well, and I was sitting here, that would be harder to accept," Lundqvist said. "Obviously, I understand it when he's playing that well. Again it comes down to what's best for the team. I'm not going to try to convince anyone when they believe this is the best for the group right now.
"It all comes back to what I can control, and I can't overthink or focus on things that don't really matter right now. All that matters is we won the last two games. I think this is take it for what it is, and he's playing really well and getting another opportunity, and that's that."
Lundqvist has allowed 12 goals in his past six starts (3-3-0).
"I'll keep working on the same things I've been working on for the past 11 years; you just have more time to do it," he said. "You don't want to overanalyze when you sit out, but there's a few things I need to be a little bit better. But I know my game's been pretty good and parts of a lot of games have been good as well."
Said Rangers defenseman Marc Staal: "We're supportive in the room; it's a situation that's foreign to [Lundqvist] but he's been handling it well. He'll be fine. Once he gets back in, he'll play great. It's just a little bump in the road for him."