Weekes talks Rangers goalie situation on NHL @TheRink podcast

Kevin Weekes thinks Henrik Lundqvist should be the starting goalie for the New York Rangers against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 the Stanley Cup Qualifiers at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, the Eastern Conference hub city, on Aug. 1 (12 p.m. ET).

Weekes, the former NHL goalie and current analyst on NHL Network, talked about Lundqvist's credentials to start ahead of rookie Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev when he joined co-hosts Dan Rosen and Shawn P. Roarke as a guest on the NHL @TheRink podcast.

"I'm not saying this based on my friendship with Hank or us having played together [with the Rangers], just objectively speaking it's hard to overlook as much experience as Henrik has had," Weekes said. "I've seen games this year where Henrik has still played exceptionally well. They have an eye toward the future, and I understand that. Time marches on, and I understand that. But in what now will require 19 [wins] for a team like the Rangers as a play-in team to win the Stanley Cup, I think ultimately, it's going to take two goalies for them at some point. That being said, the experience, having played in the Stanley Cup Final and [Stanley Cup Playoffs] and everything else, I'd roll with Hank right now, right out of the gate."

Lundqvist started four of the Rangers' last 30 games of the season before it was paused March 12 due to concerns about the coronavirus. Georgiev started 14 and Shesterkin started 12, going 10-2-0 with a 2.52 goals-against average and .932 save percentage.

Lundqvist, though, was 3-0-0 with a 2.33 GAA and .947 save percentage against the Hurricanes this season. He is 33-12-1 with a 2.00 GAA and .934 save percentage in 46 games against them in his NHL career.

The Rangers (37-28-5, .564 points percentage) will enter the Qualifiers as the No. 11 seed. Carolina (38-25-5, .596) will be the No. 6 seed. The winner will advance to the playoffs, and the loser will have a chance at the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft in the Second Phase of the NHL Draft Lottery, which will be held Aug. 10.

"In a short series, if [Lundqvist] is able to come in there and play the way he's capable of from what we've seen from him almost his entire career but certainly against the 'Canes this year, I think that's a distinct advantage," Weekes said. "That's no knock to Shesterkin because I've been a big advocate of his as well. I think the Rangers are holding pocket aces in every pocket. … But that being said, I'd roll out Hank in Game 1 if it were me."

Weekes also discussed other goaltending decisions around the NHL. He suggested that Malcolm Subban is ready for the opportunity with the Chicago Blackhawks if Corey Crawford, currently "unfit to play," is not able to go against the Edmonton Oilers, and that Elvis Merzlikins should start for the Columbus Blue Jackets against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In addition to Weekes' insight, Rosen and Roarke talked about the pace and energy in the first few days of training camps, Phase 3 of the NHL Return to Play Plan, and if it's sustainable. They also discussed and debated the NHL awards with the ongoing announcements of the finalists for each.

The podcast is free, and listeners can subscribe on all podcast platforms. It is also available on NHL.com/multimedia/podcasts and the NHL app.

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