Rangers' Vigneault: No, King Henrik Isn't Heading To Bench

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Henrik Lundqvist was being hailed a hero just last week. It's been a different story lately.

After willing the New York Rangers out of a 3-1 series deficit against the Washington Capitals, Lundqvist has been more human than machine against the high-powered Tampa Bay Lightning.

Defensive breakdowns have hurt New York in the Eastern Conference finals, and Lundqvist is taking his share of the blame after giving up 12 goals over the past two games, both losses.

Some fans are even calling for backup Cam Talbot in goal for Friday's Game 4, which isn't an option for Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault.

"Is that a question?" Vigneault said Thursday when asked if King Henrik would get the start with the Rangers in a 2-1 series hole. "Hank's the guy."

Cam Talbot (L) and Henrik Lundqvist (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Talbot posted a 21-9-4 record while spending a good chunk of the season filling in for the injured Lundqvist.

Vigneault acknowledged that Lundqvist allowed an "uncharacteristic" number of goals in Games 2 and 3. But Tampa Bay's offense -- led by Steven Stamkos and the dreaded "Triplets" of Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov -- also gave Montreal's superstar goalie Carey Price fits in the last round.

"Hank is very accountable, very demanding of himself," Vigneault said. "He's going to do what any good goaltender does. He's going to put (Wednesday's) game behind him and move on to (Friday night)."