Rangers Roundup: Kreider on All-Star win, updated playoff odds, and more

kreider rangers
Feb 5, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Metropolitan Division forward Chris Kreider (20) of the New York Rangers battles for the puck against Pacific Division forward Mark Stone (61) of the Vegas Golden Knights during the 2022 NHL All-Star Game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers were represented well by the NHL’s leading goal-scorer Chris Kreider. He picked up a goal and an assist in two games of action on Saturday as the Metropolitan Division beat the Pacific and Central to win the NHL All-Star Game.

Claude Giroux scored two goals to lead the Metropolitan Division to a 5-3 win against the Central Division in the final to take home the MVP award.

For Kreider, who appeared in the 2020 All-Star Game scoring no points and ousted in the semifinal, it was a much different result.

Chris Kreider’s All-Star thoughts

“It was a ton of fun,” Chris Kreider said. “I said earlier, with the last couple of years with all the COVID stuff, normally you’re able to see guys potentially on the road that you might have played with or known and haven’t really been able to do that. So to have this reprieve in the middle of the season to catch up with some guys it’s a breath of fresh air.”

Kreider picked up an assist in the semifinal game against the Pacific on a Jack Hughes goal.

Anyone who watches the NHL All-Star Game knows that defense is optional, but this time around things were a little different.

chris kreider
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

“It certainly got more competitive as the games went along,” Kreider explained. “Especially in the second game there were some board battles.”

The Rangers goal scoring machine picked up a tally in the final by going to the net. This time, Hughes returned the favor giving Kreider his first ever All-Star goal.

“We were joking that we all think we have the toughest division in hockey might as well win the thing and prove it,” he said.

Before heading back home to New York, Kreider was asked who he would love to see from his childhood play in this format. Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Ray Bourque with Martin Border in goal was his reply.

An All-Star answer.

New York Rangers playoff odds

Per the website MoneyPuck, the New York Rangers chances of making the playoffs has jumped up since last month from 92.6% to 96.5%. Some additional odds have them a 4.1% to win the Metro, and a .9% chance of winning the Cup.

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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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