Chris Kreider has become the darling for the Rangers in this playoff run, and a lot of his success has to do with his ability to adjust.
In seven career games, Kreider has played on four distinctly different lines, finding at least a modicum of success on each.
“I think it might be a little strange if I had done it in college or the high-school level,” Kreider said yesterday as his team prepared for tonight’s Game 3 of their conference semifinal playoff series against the Capitals in Washington. “All these guys are such good players, it’s kind of easy to play with every single one of them.”
Kreider, who turned 21 on Monday, made his NHL debut in Game 3 of the opening round against the Senators, immediately playing on the top line with Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik. He was somewhat tentative in that role, so for the next game coach John Tortorella played him just 3:29 on the fourth line with John Mitchell and Mike Rupp.
After two solid performances with them, he was moved up to play with Ryan Callahan and Derek Stepan, where he was until the third period of Monday’s 3-2 loss to Capitals, which tied the series 1-1.
Then, Tortorella switched him and Gaborik, so Kreider played on the left side for the first time as a pro with Richards and Carl Hagelin.
* A lot was made about the 13:36 of ice time that Capitals star Alex Ovechkin got in Game 2, the least amount of time he ever has gotten in his career for a game during which he was not injured or ejected.
Dan Girardi, the Rangers defenseman who almost always is matched up against the opposing team’s top talent, in turn got a playoff-low 20:35.
“I think that’s a good explanation,” Girardi said. “He didn’t play a lot, but I think that’s the matchup we’re trying to get, and that’s the way it worked out.”
* Tortorella got snappy with the media when asked about the reason behind his abrupt and contentious press conferences this postseason.
“Are you being a wise [guy]?” Tortorella asked the inquiring reporter. “I’m not going to give you much information. Some of you guys sit there and tell me I’m curt or whatever. I’m not going to have a staring contest. If you’re not going to ask me questions, I’ll just leave. That’s the way it is. I’m sorry I’m not a guy who wants to converse during the playoffs. I’m not.”
Chris Kreider, John Tortorella, Tortorella, Marian Gaborik, Brad Richards, Capitals, Derek Stepan, Rangers, Alex Ovechkin, Ryan Callahan, playoff series, John Mitchell, Kreider
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