New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider is on fire, with even shots deflecting off him finding their way into the net.
Kreider notched his second hat trick in five games, leading the Rangers to a commanding 6-1 victory over the struggling New Jersey Devils on Thursday night. The only downer for the Rangers was a concerning leg injury to goaltender Igor Shesterkin late in the game.
Kreider has now scored nine goals in his last six games, bringing his season total to 13. He completed his natural hat trick just 23 seconds into the third period, adding to the two goals he scored in the second. This was Kreider’s fourth career hat trick, coming from just five shots on goal.
Shesterkin made 32 saves and was stellar throughout the game, particularly in the first period when he stopped 13 of 14 shots. However, he appeared to injure his right leg with just under six minutes remaining after making a save on a 2-on-1 break by Damon Severson. He had to be helped off the ice, with Alexandar Georgiev finishing the game in his place. Rangers coach David Quinn could only confirm that it was a lower-body injury.
“His numbers speak for themselves,” Quinn said of Kreider, who has stepped up in the absence of star forward Artemi Panarin. “He’s been a vocal leader, playing hard at both ends and getting rewarded with big goals. His contribution has been crucial for us.”
Pavel Buchnevich, Brendan Smith, and Alexis Lafreniere also scored for the Rangers, who have now won two straight and five of their last seven.
Jack Hughes scored the lone goal for the Devils, his third against the Rangers in as many games. Mackenzie Blackwood, who made 11 saves on 15 shots, was replaced by Aaron Dell after Kreider’s second goal. The Devils have now lost four straight and seven of their last eight.
Kreider’s first goal of the game came on a power-play rush, with assists from Adam Fox, Buchnevich, and Ryan Strome. His second goal was a bit of luck, deflecting off his body from a Ryan Lindgren point shot. Kreider made it 3-1 with a perfectly placed shot on an odd-man rush.
“He’s hot right now, and when a guy is feeling it like that, you just have to get him the puck,” Strome said. “He’s been scoring timely goals and lifting everyone up. He was great tonight.”
The Devils, who started strong in the first period, couldn’t maintain their momentum through the final 40 minutes.
“We need to find a way to get a win,” said Devils veteran Travis Zajac. “We have to really bear down, work hard for 60 minutes, and earn it.”
RANGERS REINFORCEMENTS
Forward Kaapo Kakko and defenseman Jacob Trouba participated in the morning skate, with coach David Quinn noting both are close to returning. Kakko has missed six games due to COVID-19 protocol, while Trouba has been out for seven games with a broken thumb. Quinn also mentioned that Artemi Panarin, who has missed five games while on a leave of absence, is nearing a return.
Game Notes
Sami Vatanen earned his first point in nine games with an assist on Hughes’ goal. The Devils had not allowed a power-play goal in their last three games before Kreider scored. Lafreniere has goals in two consecutive games.
UP NEXT
- Rangers: This game marked the start of a six-game road trip, tied for the ninth-longest in franchise history.
- Devils: New Jersey is 0-4 on their current five-game homestand and 2-8-1 at home.
