NEW YORK, NY – In a night of milestones and records, Chris Kreider’s stellar performance headlined the New York Rangers’ dominant 5-1 victory against the Anaheim Ducks at Madison Square Garden on Friday. Kreider not only etched his name into the Rangers’ history books but also played a pivotal role in the team’s emphatic response to their recent setbacks.
Kreider’s historic evening began in the first period when he netted his 280th career goal, tying with Adam Graves for third on the Rangers’ all-time goals list. This achievement also marked his 500th NHL point, a testament to his enduring impact with the franchise. The forward wasn’t done yet, as he surpassed Graves in the second period with his 100th power-play goal, tying for fourth in Rangers’ history in this metric.
His feats drew admiration from teammates, with center Mika Zibanejad lauding Kreider’s ascent in the records of an Original Six team. “It’s cool,” Zibanejad remarked, emphasizing the significance of Kreider’s accomplishments among the pantheon of Rangers legends.
The Rangers’ victory was also bolstered by goaltender Jonathan Quick’s impressive 28-save performance, improving his season record to 9-0-1. This win marked the Rangers’ 20th of the season, placing them alongside the Vegas Golden Knights as the only teams to reach this milestone so far.
Adam Edstrom’s debut goal, Zibanejad’s goal and assist, and two assists each from Adam Fox and Artemi Panarin further amplified the Rangers’ offensive prowess. This performance was a robust response to their recent struggles, including a 7-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Conversely, the Ducks, led by Brett Leason’s early goal and Lukas Dostal’s 34 saves, faced their fifth consecutive loss. The Ducks have been grappling with disciplinary issues, leading the NHL in penalty minutes and short-handed situations, which played a significant role in the night’s outcome. Anaheim’s coach, Greg Cronin, expressed frustration over the team’s recurring penalty troubles impacting their performance.
Kreider’s second goal, a power-play marker, exemplified his skill and determination. Zibanejad praised the goal’s complexity and Kreider’s dedication to perfecting his craft. The Rangers continued to capitalize on their power-play opportunities, with Zibanejad and Edstrom adding to the tally.
Edstrom, called up from Hartford of the AHL, described his debut NHL goal as an “amazing” and surreal experience. His late goal sealed the 5-1 victory for the Rangers, a memorable night for the rookie.
In a game that showcased individual brilliance and team resilience, the Rangers demonstrated their capacity to bounce back and the potential of their key players to make history. With Kreider’s record-breaking performance and the team’s collective effort, the Rangers look poised to continue their pursuit of excellence in the remainder of the season.
