Lately, things have been going well for the Rangers. Winners of four in a row entering tomorrow’s crucial Rivalry Night showdown with the Flyers at MSG, they got some bad news on Chris Kreider.

The 22-year old rookie forward was injured during Monday’s 4-3 overtime win over the Coyotes. According to Daily News beat writer Pat Leonard, he’s out for tomorrow’s game and possibly longer. It isn’t certain how much time he’ll miss. Though a TSN report speculated it could be as much as a month which would mean the rest of the regular season and part of the postseason.

With nine games remaining, it likely means we’ll see J.T. Miller recalled from Hartford. He definitely can add needed size and physicality. He’s a different player than the talented Kreider, who has used his lightning quick speed to score 17 goals placing him in a four-way tie for second behind team leader Rick Nash. In 66 games, Kreider has 37 points ranking fourth on the club and tied with Torey Krug for fourth in rookie scoring. He also was tied for first in power play goals with Ranger teammates Derick Brassard and Benoit Pouliot.

After struggling to establish himself as a regular under John Tortorella, the former 2009 first round pick selected 19th overall has excelled under Alain Vigneault. After not making the team out of camp, he’s played a more aggressive game with an emphasis on his skating and size. One area both coaches wanted to see Kreider improve upon was using his big 6-3, 226 pound frame. In his rookie season, he’s made strides with 146 hits which leads all Ranger forwards and trails only Dan Girardi (175).

Vigneault wants Kreider to have a net presence. Something he’s provided. Whether it’s screening in front or finishing on the man-advantage, he’s done what the coaching staff has asked. For now, he won’t be in the lineup. Hopefully, that isn’t the case over the long haul. First, the Rangers have to get to the postseason. They’ll most likely have to do it without one of their most talented skaters.