Lundqvist workload product of schedule

Henrik Lundqvist is scheduled for his seventh straight start and 16th in the Rangers’ first 19 games Wednesday in Chicago. Unless something unforeseen develops, he can be expected to get the call again Friday when the Rangers play at Columbus.

This workload is a function of both a light schedule, in which the Rangers haven’t had a back-to-back since Oct. 13-14, and of the King’s improved play. Lundqvist has recorded a .913 save percentage and 2.66 goals-against average in the current six-game winning streak and has gone .919 and 2.38 over his past five matches.

“That’s the one thing we mentioned before the start of the season, that we didn’t want to put out a fixed number of games,” coach Alain Vigneault said following Tuesday’s practice. “We really wanted to go with the schedule, and this is a schedule that’s permitting him to play.

“Obviously it’s not easy for [backup Ondrej Pavelec].”

Upon returning from this trip, the Rangers have five games in 10 days and seven in 17 until their first of nine remaining back-to-backs, which opens up in Washington on Dec. 8 and concludes the following night at the Garden against the Devils.

The Rangers last won as many as seven straight in going 9-0 two years ago from Oct. 25 through Nov. 15 in their 14-2-2 getaway.

“We’ve had a great run here, but because of our start we’re not in a great position,” Lundqvist said. “So it’s important that we understand the importance of the next six games and the games after that. I’m happy that we put this streak together because we were putting ourselves [behind] in the race but we’re still not in a great spot.

“But we are doing a lot of good things and that brings a lot of confidence to the group.”

The Rangers have outscored their opponents 26-16 throughout the winning streak, but have been outscored 14-12 at five-on-five. They have an 8-2 edge on specialty teams; 2-0 in three-on-three overtimes; and 4-0 on empty-netters.

Ranked third in the NHL at 25.8 percentage efficiency on the power play through Monday’s games, the Rangers are 6-for-12 in their past four games and 9-for-23 over their past seven matches. They have killed 13-of-14 during the streak.