Revisiting Rangers History: Chris Kreider’s 52-Goal Season in 2021-22
The New York Rangers’ 2021-22 season was a unique one, as they returned to the playoffs and made an improbable run to the Eastern Conference Final after spending the past four seasons rebuilding. They relied heavily on a few key players, including Chris Kreider, who shattered his previous career-high in goals and helped carry them into the postseason. He is now with the Anaheim Ducks, but he deserves praise for his memorable 2021-22 season.
Though Kreider was a steady top-six forward and clutch playoff performer, his career-high in goals ahead of the 2021-22 season was 28. The Rangers drafted him 19th overall in the 2009 NHL Draft, and he made his debut during the 2012 Playoffs. He stepped up and had five goals and two assists in 18 games and helped the team make a run to the Eastern Conference Final.
Kreider struggled and did not get much playing time in 2012-13, but he bounced back and finished with 17 goals and 20 assists in 2013-14. He once again came through in the postseason, finishing with five goals and eight assists in 15 games, and he helped them go on a run to the Stanley Cup Final. He also played well during the 2015 Postseason, finishing with seven goals and two assists in 19 games as New York made another run to the Eastern Conference Final.
Kreider’s combination of speed, size, and strength made him successful in the NHL, but slumps and injuries prevented him from scoring 30 goals in his first nine seasons. The Rangers decided to build around him as they traded away key players Ryan McDonagh, J.T. Miller, and Rick Nash during the 2017-18 season. He missed 24 games that season with a blood clot, but he went on to tie his then-career-high in goals with 28 in 2018-19.
Ahead of the 2021-22 season, the Rangers had not won a playoff game since 2016-17. While Kreider consistently played well and produced around 25 goals and 25 assists per season, he had not yet played to his full potential offensive
