Chris Kreider is congratulated by Martin St. Louis following his goal that made it 3-1 with 1:01 left in the second period. The Rangers took Game 1 7-2 over the Canadiens.
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

It hasn’t been an easy season for Chris Kreider. The second-year Rangers forward went through a difficult stretch where hockey wasn’t the number one priority. As he detailed with New York Post beat writer Larry Brooks, it was hard to focus due to the health of his grandfather, who passed away on Nov. 27.

“That stretch was a real tough time for me and my family,” Kreider told Brooks following Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime win over Ottawa at MSG. “I’d never want to use that as a crutch, but it was very difficult for me to focus on hockey.

“My heart wasn’t really into it, and that wasn’t fair to my teammates or myself,” he said. “It was hard for me. But the support system here in this room and from this organization and from my family at home was so strong and meant the world to me.

“Now, all that is behind me. Now, my focus is here.”

The 23-year old Kreider definitely didn’t look like the player we saw last Spring or during his rookie season. There were plenty of moments where I wondered what was wrong with him. You could see it during shifts that he wasn’t all there. Like many passionate True Blueshirts, I vented my frustration with the former 2009 number one pick.

Sometimes, we don’t know the whole story. One thing I noticed was that Kreider’s game picked up after he returned. Even though initially he wasn’t getting results on the score sheet, he was more emotionally and physically involved. Eventually, the production came. Over the last 10 games, he has nine points (5-4-9) including three multi-point efforts. Easily the best stretch of the season, Kreider has four points over his last three including a clutch game-tying goal that helped the Rangers rally for a 3-2 OT win over the Senators. Their third consecutive victory before the break.

Kreider has found a good role model in much older linemate Martin St. Louis. The former Hart winner has taken him under his wing. So far, he has learned a lot from the future Hall Of Famer and Stanley Cup champ.

“It’s a give-and-take relationship,” Kreider said

“He gives and I take.

“He talks, I shut up and listen.”

“The plays he makes, the things he sees before they happen; it’s extraordinary,” Kreider said. “He is so cerebral … he is playing chess when everyone else is playing checkers. Isn’t that the euphemism?

That kind of mentality has helped him develop. Plus he and Derek Stepan have chemistry. Stepan is the smart two-way center who sees the whole ice. A very unselfish player, he has made a big difference. No one can deny that the unlikely trio are perfect together.

“I had a coach at Boston College who said that you have to be able to think the puck in,” said Kreider. “I think with Marty and Step, I can think it in.

“I think that’s what our line can do.”

The end result is a more committed player who’s back to using his size, speed and strength which can be tough on opponents. In 42 games, Kreider’s up to 10 goals with 14 assists for 24 points and a team-leading 73 penalty minutes. His 89 hits rank first among Rangers forwards. He also has four power play goals and three game-winners. As he improves, so does the team’s chances.