The New York Rangers are pressing the Washington Capitals hard to push this series to seven games, and Chris Kreider has figured into much of their success.
Kreider scored the tying goal with less than two minutes left in Game 5, and he was on the ice during the overtime-winner. He truly combined will and skill just 40 seconds into Game 6, as he took advantage of some open space and flat-out overpowered Matt Niskanen:
He’s not just scoring, either, as his physical style is rubbing some the wrong way. He raised Washington’s ire with a questionable hit on young forward Andre Burakovsky.
Update: Scoring 40 seconds into the first period is one thing, but what about making it 2-0 with .3 seconds remaining in the opening frame? Kreider did both, giving the Rangers what could be an enormous lead (at least considering how these two goalies are playing).
This indeed must have felt like a heart-breaker for the Capitals:
.@nyrangers score with 0.3 remaining on the clock in the 1st period! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/gVdTE22t3G
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) May 11, 2015
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Interesting tidbit: the Rangers have had a knack for timely scoring lately:
Kreider's goal is 3rd time in 11 playoff games NY has scored in 1st minute of play. Kreider @ :38 of Game 2; Brassard :28 Game 1 vs. Pens.
— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) May 10, 2015