Henrik Lundqvist chooses his knee’s health over country

Henrik Lundqvist declined an invitation to join Team Sweden for the World Championships while citing the knee issue he first referenced at the Rangers’ breakup day on April 10 as the reason.

Lundqvist, who originally sustained the left MCL injury during Tre Kronor’s run to the title last spring, underwent an MRI exam last week that revealed no structural damage.

The netminder, who never missed a practice and did not appear at all compromised by the knee, started 50 of the club’s first 60 games before the Rangers fell out of the playoff race and management gave an extended look at 22-year-old Alexandar Georgiev. Lundqvist went 26-26-7/.915/2.98 in 61 starts and 63 appearances.

The plan is for Lundqvist to receive platelet-rich plasma treatment and rest for three weeks before beginning his normal offseason training regimen.