Rangers forward Chris Kreider should be back for challenge against Bruins

chris kreider
Oct 25, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) takes the ice for warmups before the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports

As the New York Rangers get set to host the league’s best team the Bruins, it appears Chris Kreider is ready to return.

“He’s only been an out a week,” Gerard Gallant told the press after practice on Wednesday. “Hopefully, I’ll find out today he’s ready to go. He looked good today, skated hard… We like our team a lot better when he’s there.”

Kreider, 31, was injured on a shoulder-to-shoulder check by Marcus Foligno in the Rangers 4-3 shootout win over the Minnesota Wild last week. He’s missed three games with an upper-body injury.

“It’s never fun not being able to help out,” Kreider said. “I feel good.”

According to USA Today’s Vince Mercogliano, Kreider nodded when asked if he would be back in versus Boston.

Chris Kreider should return vs Bruins

how to watch rangers vs bruins chris kreider
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers to a man will be glad to have big number 20 back in the lineup. Per multiple reports, Alexis Lafreniere was dropped to the third line to make room for Kreider. Sammy Blais is the most likely candidate to be the healthy scratch.

The Blueshirts top line left wing is second on the team with 19 goals and has registered 30 points in 42 games this season.

“He’s a huge part of this team,” Captain Jacob Trouba noted. “It’ll be great to have him back.”

These are the measuring stick games that general managers and coaches use to gauge where their teams really are in anticipation of the NHL Trade Deadline on March 3.

“They’ve got a great team,” Gallant explained. “Right now, they’re clearly the best team in the NHL. We know we’re a good hockey team and we’ve played really well lately. It’s a good challenge you get pumped up for and hopefully we come out and play our best game.”

Igor Shesterkin should get the nod tomorrow night. For his career against Boston, he’s 3-5-0 with a GAA of 2.81 and a .916 save percentage.

The Bruins lead the league in the following categories:

  • Points, 72
  • Points Percentage: .837
  • Wins: 34
  • RW: 29
  • ROW: 32
  • PK: 86.2%
  • GF/GP: 3.81
  • GA/GP: 2.12

Note: All quotes transcribed from New York Rangers YouTube channel

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Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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