Chris Kreider wasn't selected to start in Team USA's starting lineup, but he factored in later in the tournament in a memorable way. Kreider's struggles this season are well-documented. He can use his short stay at the Four Nations to build momentum for the rest of the season as Kreider starts to show parts of his old self. Once again, the Rangers can look at this as a positive for a player that has not lived up to the expectations placed upon him this season.
Kreider scored 18 seconds into his Four Nations debut in the USA's loss to Sweden, but it showed that Kreider was picked for a reason. His skill set makes him a great player when the lights are bright, and he doesn't look out of place among the best players in the NHL. He's always been a clutch playoff performer, but this wasn't quite the level he usually plays at.
Kreider's goal in the Sweden game was his only point of the tournament, but it left him with a +1 rating. Considering he only played two games, it's pretty easy to say he was the best-performing Ranger at this tournament, which is an indication of how poorly represented the Blueshirts were at the Four Nations, but Kreider's play was far more substantial than that of the rest of the Rangers, and this could be a launching point for the rest of the season.
Kreider's play with the Americans needs to be the launching point for the remainder of the year. He's currently set to be deployed in the bottom six when the Rangers return to the ice to face the Buffalo Sabres, but that doesn't have to be where he stays. Kreider's shown he is comfortable in a top-six role, and this can be a springboard for the rest of the season if he can continue to play with this momentum.