Lundqvist: 'This is the time of year when you really want to play hockey'

The spring was made for ice hockey. That's how Henrik Lundqvist feels, at least.

The New York Rangers goaltender was feeling pretty good Monday night, after his team clinched its sixth straight playoff berth. It took 79 games, but that's life in the NHL.

"It's a great feeling, a proud feeling," a relieved Lundqvist said, according to Newsday's Steve Zipay. "We're in. It hasn't been pretty at times, at times it's been great, but playing in this league, it's a grind and it's about finding ways to win games that can go either way. We'll see who we're going to face. This is the time of year when you really want to play hockey."

Lundqvist has played a lot of playoff hockey over the last four seasons - 76 games, almost a full season's worth. But he's a man of his word.

While the numbers are certainly impressive, Lundqvist would be the first to say the only one that matters isn't in the above table: 16 wins. He hasn't been able to get there yet, but he did come close, winning a career-high 13 in 2013-14 when the Rangers lost in the Stanley Cup Final.

Monday's achievement was tempered with uncertainty after N.Y. captain Ryan McDonagh was hurt in his team's win, leaving the game with an apparent right hand injury after blocking a shot. He'll be re-evaluated Tuesday.

"... There is a good chance we might call somebody up," head coach Alain Vigneault said.

McDonagh plays 22:21 a night on the blue line, and his loss would be a significant one for Lundqvist and the Rangers.