Rangers' Chris Kreider itching to get back after being healthy scratch against Devils
New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider skates with the puck against Carolina Hurricanes center Seth Jarvis in the third period of an NHL hockey game at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
GREENBURGH — There was a time in Chris Kreider’s career, in his rookie year of 2012-13, when he was a healthy scratch from the lineup every so often.
That hadn’t been the case recently, though, at least not in most folks’ memory. Not until Peter Laviolette left him out of the lineup that faced the Devils on Monday in the Rangers’ final game before the NHL’s holiday break.
Kreider was back at practice with the rest of the team as the Rangers reassembled for a brisk workout before flying to Tampa to resume the season with games against the Lightning on Saturday and the Panthers on Monday.
And though he was willing to talk to reporters, he didn’t want to get into the details or his feelings regarding his being a healthy scratch in the last game.
“I don’t see a ton of use in talking about the experience,’’ he said. “It’s more, take the lessons, improve, be better. Try to be the best version of myself so to help the team.’’
Laviolette did not want to rehash his decision to send a message to the Rangers’ longest-tenured player and the third-leading scorer in franchise history.
“I already answered those questions the other day,’’ Laviolette said. “You asked me why decisions were made. I answered them. He had a good practice today. He’s an important piece of the team and . . . we need him and everybody to be great players from this point out in order to work our way back in.’’
The Rangers ended the pre-Christmas portion of the schedule at 16-17-1, having lost 13 of their last 17 games. They were seventh out of eight teams in the Metropolitan Division, tied with the Islanders at 33 points, and were five points behind the Ottawa Senators, who currently hold the last playoff position.
“We’ve got to start, coming out of this break, almost use it as a reset,’’ Laviolette said. “Move forward and go down to Tampa, win a hockey game and then push our way back into the playoff race.’’
Kreider said he spoke to the coaches about what he needs to do in his return to the lineup and is confident he can make the improvements the coaches are seeking.
“I think there’s a lot of details within my game, stuff that I’m capable of doing, stuff that I’ve talked about with the coaches, focused on and worked on the last few days or so and recommitted to,’’ he said.
And though he wouldn’t reveal the details he needs to improve, when asked if the back spasms that knocked him out of the lineup for three games in November have been a factor, he dodged the question.
“Everyone’s playing through something,’’ he said. “I feel pretty good now. After a few days off, I feel great. Excited to play a little hockey.’’
Miller returns. Defenseman K’Andre Miller, who missed six games with an upper-body injury, practiced and was activated off injured reserve. To make room for Miller on the 23-man active roster, D Chad Ruhwedel was returned to AHL Hartford.
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
