The New York Rangers witnessed yet another crushing defeat on Monday, falling 5-0 to the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. The loss marks the Rangers' fourth consecutive home loss and continues their troubling trend of poor performances.
Among the most notable aspects of the game was the absence of veteran forward Chris Kreider, who was made a healthy scratch by head coach Peter Laviolette. This decision came as Kreider, who has been part of the Rangers since 2012, struggled significantly, failing to register more than one point over his last eight games. During this stretch, he managed just one goal, which undoubtedly prompted management to send him to the press box with hopes of igniting some much-needed spark within the lineup.
“We just need more,” said Laviolette, when addressing Kreider’s absence. The coach emphasized his disappointment with the team’s performance overall, stating, “Any time you talk to a player about not being in the lineup, it's never an easy conversation. At the end of the day, we're not playing a brand we need to play to be successful.”
Despite Kreider’s long-standing contribution to the Rangers — including notable seasons with 39 goals last year and 52 the year before — the decision to scratch him seems part of the broader issues plaguing the team. Kreider’s current season stats show he has accumulated 11 goals and one assist over 30 games, positioning him tied for second on the team. Nevertheless, the Rangers' offensive struggles have been glaring, scoring one goal or fewer in four of the previous five games before facing the Devils.
The defeat against New Jersey brought the Rangers’ record to just 7-13-1 this month and only intensified calls for organizational changes. Kreider’s absence from the ice only magnified the limited scoring opportunity the Rangers faced, as the team managed only 12 shots on goal compared to the Devils, who dominated with 33 attempts. Jack Hughes of the Devils made the most of the opportunity, notching two goals and adding another assist, showing why he was the first overall pick back when he joined the league.
The Rangers' current predicament extends beyond Kreider, but his scratching has raised questions about the team’s direction. With the Rangers losing 13 of their last 17 games, Laviolette must address numerous faults. The decision to scratch Kreider might suggest broader dissatisfaction with his performance, yet Kreider has proven to be effective when utilized properly. The franchise's longtime player holds the third-highest goals scored history at the Rangers and has been instrumental during tight games.
Many fans and analysts have speculated about what this might mean for Kreider's future with the organization. Is this healthy scratch merely to jolt some performance out of him, or could it hint at possible trade discussions? The Rangers have ample cap space, approximately $8.4 million available, positioning them to make moves without needing to offload Kreider's $6.5 million contract just yet, which runs until the end of the 2026-27 NHL season.
Some might argue Kreider is not the crux of the team's challenges this season, particularly when his past seasons are taken for consideration. Kreider has consistently demonstrated offensive prowess and resiliency. It’s hard to disregard his contributions to the team, especially against top-tier competition. This begs the question: can the Rangers realistically rebound from their status without Kreider’s skills on the ice? Perhaps Kreider needs to return to the lineup with something to prove – playing with intensity and focus after experiencing this benching, showing the organization and fans he still has what it takes to be both an immediate contributor and potentially valuable asset for future trades.
While the Rangers suffered immensely against the Devils, the earlier defeats and Kreider’s subsequent scratching signal larger issues at play within the team structure. If Kreider can channel any frustrations from this decision, he may be able to turn this moment around, perhaps finding his role among a roster searching for identity. For the Rangers, the immediate season bears considerable weight on whether they can recapture their potential or continue to slide downward.
