The front of the net on the power play. That, almost without fail, is where you will see Chris Kreider.
“It took a little bit of time to become comfortable with it, but I know that it’s a very important role” Kreider said Tuesday, before the Rangers departed for their two-game swing through Florida that begins with Thursday night’s match at Tampa Bay. “I’m there to set the screen and get my stick on a shot if I can, but it takes time to learn and become familiar with what each guy’s shot is like so I know what to expect.
“Some guys, when they shoot it lower, the puck drops off the table. Some guys when they go high, the puck rises. It’s almost like a catcher and pitcher. You need to know what’s coming, and you’ve got to know to try and touch the puck and when to get out of the way.”
“I’m becoming more confident knowing what to do,” No. 20 said. “There’s getting to be more of a chance I’m not going to screw it up.”
The Rangers’ power play, 11-for-52 and 10th in the league at 21.2 percent, struck twice in the four-goal, third-period rally in Tuesday’s 6-4 victory over Vegas. Kreider and first-unit mates Mika Zibanejad, Mats Zuccarello, Pavel Buchnevich and Kevin Shattenkirk have been on for nine of the power play goals, each getting between 51:21 and 56:01 of ice time, per naturalstattrick.com.
“We all have our roles and we’re all confident in them,” Zuccarello said. “Shatty is the quarterback, Buch and Mika are shooters and passers, Chris is the net-front guy and I’m like the rover.
“Every job is important but you have to have net presence and that’s what we always get from Kreids. Any time you look, he’s there battling.”
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Dan Girardi, who wore the Blueshirt for 910 games (including 122 in the playoffs), will face the Rangers for the first time on Thursday.
The 33-year-old defenseman signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Lightning following his late June buyout by the Rangers.
“I miss that guy, I really do,” said Henrik Lundqvist, who had been a Ranger for a year and a half when Girardi joined the club during the 2006-07 All-Star break. “He is such a great character in the room, and the way he plays the game; always pays the price.
“But I’m happy for him. I know he’s doing well and enjoying himself down there but I definitely miss him on the team here.”
Girardi is averaging 16:30 while paired primarily with Brayden Coburn. That’s approximately 2:30 less than last season’s 19:06, and is the lowest of his career since 15:50 as a rookie.
“Dan was a real solid player and a real battler in the four years I had him here and much prior to my arriving here,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “There’s no doubt he left his mark in our dressing room.”
As has become customary on days following games, Ryan McDonagh did not practice. It was a “maintenance day for the captain”, per the club.