Chris Kreider scored his first shorthanded goal in his 612th NHL game with the New York Rangers. He now ranks seventh in franchise history with 10 shorthanded goals and leads the NHL in that category since the 2021-22 season.
On Wednesday night, Kreider netted two goals in the Rangers’ 6-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, with his second being a shorthanded goal at 11:53 in the third period. Coach Peter Laviolette commented to reporters on Friday, prior to their home opener against the Utah Hockey Club on Saturday, that “power-play players often excel at penalty killing” because they can anticipate plays.
Kreider is well-versed in power-play success; the 33-year-old ranks second in Rangers history with 110 power-play goals, just behind Camille Henry. He surpassed the records of Rangers legends like Adam Graves (100), Brian Leetch (106), and Rod Gilbert (108) last season when he scored 18 power-play goals. Notably, in the 2021-22 season, half of Kreider’s career-high 52 goals came with the man advantage (26).
Laviolette suggests that Kreider’s strengths may explain his effectiveness as a penalty killer. Additionally, Kreider possesses the explosiveness that can make an opposing power play nervous about potential counterattacks.
During the game against the Penguins, Kreider showcased his speed and strength, racing past veteran defenseman Kris Letang to collect a loose puck and score a breakaway shorthanded goal. While the finish was somewhat fortunate as it wasn’t his ideal shot, it exemplified Kreider’s skill. He recorded two shorthanded goals last season and set a career high with four in the 2022-23 season. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he also scored three shorthanded goals, including one in the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers.
The synergy between Kreider and his longtime linemate Mika Zibanejad was evident in his plays on the penalty kill, making them a formidable duo for opposing teams. Kreider’s intelligence and strategic understanding of the game contribute to his success in these situations, as Laviolette noted.
Last season, the Rangers ranked third in the NHL for penalty killing at 84.5 percent efficacy, and they rank fourth (82.8 percent) since Kreider joined the penalty kill unit in 2021-22.
Overall, Kreider’s contributions have solidified his status as one of the all-time greats in Rangers history.
