That $8.5 million cap hit will be the fifth-highest in the league in 2014-15 season. Only Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Alex Ovechkin and Corey Perry have a more expensive dollar amount attached to their name.

For that type of money, Lundqvist needs to do more.

Doing so Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden would be a great place to start. Otherwise, Lundqvist’s brand – at least, on this continent – will rightfully remain in the second echelon of elite NHL netminders.

-Adam Proteau of The Hockey News on New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. More on Lundqvist from Proteau...