NEWARK, N.J. — In a significant lineup change, Chris Kreider, a forward for the New York Rangers, was not included in the roster for Monday’s matchup against the New Jersey Devils, marking the first time this season he was a healthy scratch.
After a disappointing weekend where the Rangers suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes, they experienced an even heavier loss of 5-0 against the Devils. This recent downturn has seen the Rangers struggling considerably, having won only once since their victory in Vancouver on November 19. Over their last 17 games, New York has only managed to secure four wins, with all losses occurring in regulation. Both Kreider and his regular linemate, Mika Zibanejad, have faced considerable challenges lately.
In Kreider’s absence, Jonny Brodzinski was called up to join the team for the game against New Jersey. Rangers’ coach Peter Laviolette commented on the decision, stating, “It was just a lineup decision. We just need more.” He emphasized the difficulty of informing a player about not being a part of the lineup but concluded that the team needs to elevate its performance to achieve success.
This season, the 33-year-old Kreider has tallied 11 goals and one assist over 30 games. He missed a trio of games late last month due to an upper-body injury.
Historically, Kreider has been a strong performer for the Rangers, boasting a career-high 52 goals during the 2021-22 season and finishing last season with 39 goals along with 75 points. He was selected by the Rangers in the first round of the 2009 draft, going 19th overall, and has since played 845 regular-season games along with 123 playoff appearances.
He ranks third in all-time goals for the franchise, with a total of 315 goals, trailing only Rod Gilbert and Jean Ratelle. His effectiveness on the power play is evident, as he has netted 114 career power-play goals, which is the second-most in team history.
Kreider is currently signed for two more seasons under a seven-year, $45.5 million contract, which is set to conclude after the 2026-27 NHL season.
