The NYR Facts Of Life: #31 Alex Auld

For each player who suited up in a Blueshirt this season we will take the good, we will take the bad and take them both and see what we have. After doing Henrik Lundqvist yesterday, it is time for the first of two backups who wore #31, Alex Auld.

#31's #s: 3 games (1 start, 119 minutes), 0-1-0, 2.53 g.a.a., .900 save %.

Take the good: Auld, like Christensen, was another cheap waiver-wire acquisition who jumped in and filled a need. John Tortorella felt he needed a veteran backup and he got one in Auld. The new netminder came right in and held the Caps to just two goals in a fantastic performance at the Phone Booth.

Take the bad: Auld's second appearance was in relief of Hank and he gave up a soft goal on 10 shots in 25 minutes. His third and final was 35 minutes against Buffalo at the beginning of April - you recall, the game where Torts shocked everyone by pulling Hank down 3-2. But Torts shocked no one by riding the King so hard for so long, (in fact, I wrote Auld wouldn't play much when we claimed him) and Auld didn't see nearly enough action as the Rangers needed him to. And that was definitely bad.

Take them both and then we have: A capable, underused backup goaltender with one awesome mask.