Apr 11, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) skates with the puck as Washington Capitals right wing Joel Ward (42) chases in the second period at Verizon Center. The Rangers won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Since joining the New York Rangers at the tail end of the 2011-2012 season, Chris Kreider has given hope that the team’s future is secured.
Originally the 19th overall pick of the 2009 Entry Draft, he signed his first professional contract and joined the team just in time for their playoff run. His first games as a professional were in the post season and flourished scoring five goals and seven points in 18 games.
From there, it’s been nothing but history for him. After a rough patch with then-head coach John Tortarella, Kreider’s found his footing and remained a mainstay under present head coach Alain Vigneault.
New York Rangers /
New York Rangers
With Vigneault’s up-tempo style of play, Kreider has made the adjustment and started to reap it’s rewards. Last season, he set career best in three of the major offensive categories: goals (21), assists (25), and points (46) in 80 regular season games played, another career high.
Those numbers should climb as he plays more and gets more comfortable with his game. It’s an added benefit to be on the same line as a playmaker like Derek Stepan, who looks to get the puck to Kreider any chance he gets.
We flashback to Kreider’s top five goals last season. Normally, fans associate him with driving hard to the net and bumping into goalies “accidentally on purpose”. Perhaps, it’s that fear that makes goalies tremble when they see a streaking Kreider on their right.
He’s not just a one-dimensional player coming at you, like a out of control Ferrari. Now, he has the element of a scoring touch that makes him unpredictable. And, that’s what made, and will make Kreider a dangerous player to play against.
Here are his top five goals from the 2014-2015 regular season:
Next: Opening Night Act
Nov 3, 2014; New York, NY, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott (1) looks back at the net at a goal by New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (not pictured) during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Goal #1: Against Brian Elliott (STL)- 09 OCT 2014
The team opened their 2014-2015 season on the road against the St. Louis Blues. The game was highlighted by a surprising multi-goal game for teammate Rick Nash.
On this play, the Rangers unveiled their fast, up-tempo play that would be their signature for the rest of the season. Chris Kreider’s goal gave the Rangers the one-goal lead in the third period, which was the second of four goals scored between the two teams in the last 30 minutes.
The Rangers would win 3-2 off Nash’s second goal. However, Kreider’s speed was on full display this play. He took a perfect pass up ice and finished the job, by scoring on Brian Elliott‘s stick side.
Not a bad way to kick off your season!
Next: Power Play Goal at the Rock
Oct 21, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) celebrates his goal on New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider (35) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Goal #2: Against Cory Schneider (NJD)- 21 October 2014
This was the first of four regular season games between the rival Rangers-Devils. On this night, the team traveled to the Prudential Center.
In the first period, the Rangers were the recipients of their first power play of the game, after Jaromir Jagr was called for tripping.
As the play unfolded, the team did a good job of keeping the puck alive in the offensive zone. Ryan McDonagh took a shot from the backend, which Devils netminder Cory Schneider was able to stop. However, the puck rebounded off his pads to a opportunistic Kreider, who was sneaking in towards the net for any scoring chance.
The call was from Devils broadcasters Chico Resch and Ken Daneyko. Just something about hearing them call a goal against their team is music to any Rangers fan’s ears.
Next: Kreider's Goal forces Overtime
Jan 10, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Dallas Stars right wing Alex Chiasson (12) and New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) go for the puck during the second period of a game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Goal #3: Against Kari Lehtonen (DAL)- 08 February 2015
At this point of the season, Cam Talbot took over the starting duties after Henrik Lundqvist suffered an injury. The team was down 2-1 late in the third, despite outplaying the Dallas Stars. For the period, the Rangers outshot their opponent 20-2.
However, Stars netminder Kari Lehtonen was equal to the task, answering every shot the Rangers threw at him.
A late power play gave the Blueshirts life after Stars defenseman John Klingberg was called for delay of game. The Rangers were unsuccessful for most of the man-advantage. As time dwindled down, the Rangers were able to get it deep on Lehtonen. He came out of the net to play the puck and tried to clear it up ice.
The team pulled Talbot to make it a six on four advantage. The puck found the stick of Mats Zuccarello, who had an open lane to shoot the puck. Lehtonen stopped the puck, but gave up a rebound to Kreider. He proceeded to put it past the goalie, and force overtime.
The team would eventually lose 3-2, but the resiliency of the Rangers was on full display and the magic of Cam Talbot’s two months of starting duties was just beginning.
Next: Kreider Gets the Rout Going
Feb 14, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) scores on Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) during the second period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Goal #4: Against Mike Smith (PHX)- 14 February 2015
In a “should win” game against the Arizona Coyotes, the Rangers did not disappoint. Chris Kreider scored the first goal of the game with less than a minute into the first period. After a nice defensive play by Kevin Klein, he flipped up to Derek Stepan. And has been the combination for most of the year, Stepan put it on Kreider’s stick and sat back to watch his highlight goal. Using his speed again, Kreider sckate past Coyotes defenseman Michael Stone and backhanded the puck past goalie Mike Smith. Another example of his evolving goal-scoring abilities.
It was a goal in a 5-1 blowout by the Rangers, and marked the 500th win in head coach Alain Vigneault’s coaching career.
Next: Game-winning Goal Grounds the Jets
Mar 31, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider (20) drives the puck past Winnipeg Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec (31) to score during the third period at MTS Centre. New York Rangers win 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Goal #5: Against Ondrej Pavelec (WPG)- 31 March 2015
Having already clinched a playoff spot, the Rangers rolled into the MTS Center in Winnipeg with their sights on the President’s Trophy.
However, they would need to deal with the raucous Jets fans, who made lives miserable to opposing teams. The score was tied at two, after the Rangers climbed back from being down one goal, twice.
With less than four minutes left, J.T. Miller passed to a speeding Chris Kreider. He made Jets tough guy Dustin Byfuglien spin around in his skates and gave the celly of the year after slipping it past Ondrej Pavelec.
It has to rank as one of the best goals he has scored. It combined everything: speed, power, and his ability to out-fake the goalie.
I mean, how can you not love his reaction at the end of the play?!
