Rangers Roundup: Chris Kreider and Gerard Gallant react to scoring 50 goals, and more

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Apr 12, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers players celebrate the 50th goal of the season by left wing Chris Kreider (20) against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
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It wasn’t the way the New York Rangers or Chris Kreider would’ve scripted it.

In their heads, Kreider would score his 50th goal of the season late in the third period to win a hockey game. Unfortunately, when he put home a rebound past Freddy Andersen with 98 seconds on the clock, it was only to cut the deficit to one before losing to the Hurricanes 4-2.

“I think it’s awesome that he scored 50 goals,” head coach Gerard Gallant said. “It’s too bad we had to lose when he scores his 50th, but hats off to him. It’s an unbelievable season.

Chris Kreider scores 50 goals

Kreider, 30, made history when he tucked home a rebound of an Adam Fox point shot.

By doing so, he became the fourth Blueshirt in team history to reach 50 goal in a single season tying him with Vic Hadfield for third. Only Adam Graves (52) and Jaromir Jagr (54) are ahead of him with 8 games remaining on this campaign.

“It’s hard after a game like that,” explained Kreider, who is ever a team first guy. “I think it would mean a lot more if we found a way to win the game, but it’s something that I’ll appreciate. It’s just hard to appreciate right now.”

Kreider became just the 8th player to score 50 goals in his 10th season or later. He’s also the 4th to do it for the first time at 30 years or older.

“I’m glad it’s over,” Kreider said. “I could feel guys looking for me… I was telling Mika I felt like a shooting guard a lot of the night trying to work my way around picks and get open, but that’s how they play defense.

“We’ve got some absolutely incredible people in that room who were pulling for me and that means the world to me, but put it behind us and everyone can go back to shooting the puck and I can go back to screening the goalie.”

Kreider dreams of winning the Cup

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Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

When Kreider was asked if he ever dreamed of scoring 50 goals, he replies quickly with what he actually dreamt of as a kid.

“I thought about raising the Stanley Cup,” as he recollected having a poster of it in his bedroom. “I remember watching Ray Bourque winning it with Colorado…I want to win the Stanley Cup. That’s what we all dream of doing.”

His head coach, who was a bit of a goal scorer in his playing days called him out.

“He’s lying,” Gallant joked. “He dreamt about scoring 50 goals. That’s a great feat.”

New York Rangers notes

Filip Chytil did not play again and remains day-to-day per the coaching staff. Prior to the game Gallant did note that he was very close to returning.

When he comes back, I would expect Barclay Goodrow to slot down on the fourth line with Ryan Reaves being the most likely scratch or possibly Dryden Hunt. That will depend on the match up as the coach hinted at earlier this week.

Earlier this week, when he was asked if he’d rest some players down the stretch his response indicated there would be appropriate consideration.

“No… after the last game we’ve got a great schedule to finish with,” Gallant said. “We’ll play it one game at a time and if someone needs a rest, we’ve got no issues putting someone else in. We’ve got lots of good players here.”

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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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