Lundqvist off All-Star roster; Nash only Ranger
SANJOSE, Calif.— You might as well call it the NHL Some Stars Game in Columbus on Jan. 25, for Henrik Lundqvist will not be there.
Rick Nash will be the lone Rangers representative in the exhibition after the league’s decision to overlook one of its marquee, signature athletes.
“It’s going to be my first break [other than the 201213 lockout] in about nine years,” Lundqvist told The Post prior to Saturday’s match against the Sharks. “I think my play has been up tomy standards after maybe the first few weeks, but … I don’t know what else to say.
“I’m going to look at this as an opportunity to get some rest and spend time with my family.”
Nash will be joined on the squad by the Islanders’ John Tavares and the Devils’ Patrik Elias.
The King, who entered Saturday’s game having allowed two goals or fewer in nine of his previous 10 starts, had played in the 2009, 2011 and 2012 All-Star Games as well as in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 Olympics.
Nash, meanwhile, will get to go home for his sixth All-Star appearance, and his first as a Ranger after five previous selections as a member of the Blue Jackets.
The Big Easy, second in the NHL with 25 goals entering the Shark Tank, is the only player in the NHL who ranks in the top 10 in goals, plusminus (tied for seventh at plus18) and takeaways (ninth with 33).
“It’s definitely a fun weekend to be a part of,” Nash said. “There are lots of guys in the dressing room who don’t get recognition for the reason I’m going to be there.
“[Columbus] is a special place for me, and it will be nice to spend some time there. So there will be a little extra.”
The rampaging Rangers went into Saturday’s match having gone 121 since Dec. 8 while outscoring their opponents by an aggregate 4821. The Blueshirts were in search of their firstever sweep of a three game California trip since the Ducks joined the NHL in 199394.
But neither that nor avenging last season’s humiliating 92 defeat here to the Sharks on Oct. 8 — in which Nash was concussed by a Brad Stuart headshot and Thomas Hertl all but sent Martin Biron into retirement— were uppermost in the team’s consciousness approaching the game.
“We want the two points and wewant to prove ourselves again coming off two big wins,” said Nash, alluding to the backtoback victories over the Ducks and Kings on Wednesday and Thursday. “We need the points.”
Dan Boyle made his first appearance as a visitor in seven years, having played the last six seasons with the Sharks. Avideo tribute was planned for the defenseman, who following Thursday’s victory first acknowledged thiswould be a meaningful game for him.
“I’m a team guy first, so the two points come first,” Boyle said following the morning skate. “But this place means a lot to me.
“I had six great years here and I’m proud of what I did here,” said No. 22. “I left here with my head held high.”
Boyle, who said he plans to live in the area after he retires, was asked the difference between playing in San Jose and New York. The 38yearold, 16year NHL veteran never before had played in a major market, having previously played for the Panthers, Lightning and Sharks.
“I don’t want to say anything negative about San Jose, but [New York] is more of a traditional hockey market,” Boyle said. “It’s been around a long time, there’s a lot of history and the building itself is pretty special… one of the best buildings in the world, not just North America.
“Just wearing the jersey — Brian Leetch was my favorite Dman,” he said. “There’s a whole lot of little things that come with playing for an Original Six team.”