In Thursday’s 3-0 loss to the Bruins, Chris Kreider boarded Carl Soderberg shoving him from behind with excessive force into the glass. The dangerous play occurred with 13:47 left in the third period. As seen in the video above, it led directly to Soderberg’s teammate Chris Kelly stepping in and fighting Kreider. Commendable on Kelly’s part.

In his second full season, Kreider has been inconsistent. Expected to be the Rangers’ power forward, he has nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points which ranks sixth in team scoring. His play has picked up lately. He scored the game-winner in the Rangers’ 2-1 victory over the Blue Jackets Friday night. A game he shouldn’t have participated in. Lately, he’s using his size and speed. He’s back to taking the body. Sometimes, that means controversial hits like the one from behind on Soderberg. He leads the Rangers in penalty minutes (69) and ranks second in hits (87).

Listed at 6-3, 226 pounds, the 23-year old Kreider is developing a bad reputation for cheap hits. Earlier this season, he leveled Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin from behind injuring him. It got Kreider ejected for a boarding major. That was a similar play to the one against Soderberg. In both sequences, he was trying to get in on the forecheck and recklessly shoved defenseless players from behind. Both were vulnerable. On each, he was appropriately called for boarding. The difference being he didn’t get a game misconduct at Boston. Rather a quick response from Kelly, who did the right thing.

Given how big and fast he is, Kreider might not realize his own physical strength. At some point, the Rangers coaching staff needs to get in his ear about using better judgment. He plays on one of the team’s top two lines with Derek Stepan and Martin St. Louis. They need him on the ice. Not in the penalty box.

It is my opinion that Kreider should’ve been suspended for the hit on Soderberg. It was a repeat of the incident with Brodin on 10/27/14. Amazingly, Kreider didn’t even receive a call from the NHL. The first time, the league probably ruled that the appropriate call was made tossing him. The second easily could’ve been a suspension. Instead, he got off the hook. Perhaps due to only being in his second year, Kreider didn’t pay. Next time he might not be so lucky.

During the same game, Bruins antagonist Brad Marchand slew footed Derick Brassard. A player with a dirty reputation, Marchand was suspended two games for a dangerous play in which he didn’t bother to go for the puck. Instead, he deliberately kicked the feet out sending Brassard flying. Luckily, he wasn’t hurt. Marchand is a repeat offender. This is his third suspension. He’s been suspended for two games and five. Some could say he got off light. If Brassard had been injured, there’s no doubt he would’ve received more.

Unfortunately, that’s what you get from a inconsistent league. How they determine who gets suspended and fined is a mystery. In this case, the Rangers benefited. Kreider helped them snap a two-game losing skid. Hopefully, he doesn’t continue to put himself under the radar.