When the Rangers took on the Lightning on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, a familiar face was back on the same line with his closest friend.

For nearly a decade, Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad have been inseparable. Ever since former Rangers team president and general manager Jeff Gorton acquired Zibanejad from the Senators for Derick Brassard on July 18, 2016, he’s spent most of his time playing with Kreider.

Whether it was at even strength, on the power play or penalty kill, No. 20 and No. 93 formed a dynamic duo for the Blueshirts. As far back as eight years ago, Kreider set up Zibanejad in overtime to beat the Canadiens in Game 5 of the first round on Apr. 20, 2017. The Rangers closed out the series two days later to advance to the second round.

A lot has changed since then. The only constant has been Kreider and Zibanejad. There have been plenty of moments where they delivered in the clutch. However, Kreider’s been a Ranger longer than anyone on the current roster. Ever since he joined them fresh out of Boston College that spring in 2012, he’s scored plenty of goals at key moments. Long before Zibanejad formed their partnership, there was a 21-year-old Kreider scoring five times during the team’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Following some struggles in 2012-13, Kreider went onto score 17 goals with 20 assists for 37 points as a rookie in 2013-14. He recorded his first career hat trick in a win over the Canucks on Nov. 30, 2013, which fittingly came against former coach John Tortorella. There would be bigger moments that season. He scored three goals and added five assists for eight points in the Rangers’ six-game series win over the Canadiens to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. Ultimately, they lost to the Kings.

Who could ever forget Kreider’s game-tying goal against the Caps in Game 5 of the second round in 2014-15? Staring at playoff extinction, Kreider took a drop pass from Derek Stepan and beat Braden Holtby to tie the game with 1:41 left in regulation. The Rangers came back and won in overtime on a goal from Ryan McDonagh. Buoyed by a pair of Kreider goals, they went into Washington and took Game 6. Stepan scored in overtime of Game 7 to send the Rangers back to the Conference Finals.

Following a first round loss to the Pens the following season, Zibanejad replaced Brassard. Ironically, it was Brassard’s team that eliminated the Rangers in the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s four goals in Game 5 for the Senators turned out to be the end for an old core that included Stepan, McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Henrik Lundqvist, Rick Nash and Mats Zuccarello. J.T. Miller was part of that roster. By the midpoint of the next season, both he and McDonagh were gone.

The Letter

When the organization decided to trade McDonagh, that signaled a shift in philosophy. On Feb. 8, 2018, The Letter was released to the fanbase revealing that the Rangers would rebuild. At the time, McDonagh was the captain of the team. That all changed when he was traded with Miller to the Lightning on Feb. 26, 2018. Nash would also get rerouted to Boston in a deal that netted Ryan Lindgren. The following season, Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes were subtracted. Kevin Shattenkirk was bought out during the summer of 2019.

While they reconstructed the roster through trades and the draft, Lundqvist was near the conclusion of his career. When Igor Shesterkin signed and came over from the KHL in 2019-20, he played so well that the writing was on the wall in the Covid abbreviated season. Lundqvist played his final game in the Stanley Cup Qualifying Round. By that point, Rangers Team President John Davidson helped them sign Artemi Panarin. Gorton also traded for future captain Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox. Those were the big moves that transformed the team back into a contender.

Kreider and Zibanejad were there for all of it. That included no playoffs from 2018 thru 2021. The conclusion of the 2020-21 season was the tipping point. The lack of a response to Tom Wilson beating up Panarin convinced Garden CEO James Dolan to make sweeping changes in the organization. Head coach David Quinn was fired and both Davidson and Gorton lost their jobs. Chris Drury took over as both team president and general manager. Gerard Gallant took over behind the bench.

Kreider Has Career Season

In 2021-22, under the guidance of Gallant, the Rangers emerged as one of the league’s best teams. During that campaign, Kreider had a career season. He posted career highs in goals (52) and points (77) while breaking Jaromir Jagr’s franchise record for power-play goals in a single season with 26, which led the NHL. His 11 game-winners also paced the league. He also led the Blueshirts with three shorthanded goals.

That postseason, the Rangers came back from a 3-1 series deficit to beat the Penguins in the first round. In their 5-3 win in Game 6 that forced a deciding seventh game, both Kreider and Zibanejad scored a pair of goals, including one each on the power play. With the game still tied late in the third period, Kreider scored the deciding goal from Zibanejad. Andrew Copp added an empty netter. In Game 7, Panarin’s power-play goal in sudden death sent them to the second round. Zibanejad forced overtime by scoring with 5:45 left in regulation.

In a second round battle against the Hurricanes, the home team won the first six games of the series. In Game 7, Kreider led the way with two goals as the Rangers eliminated the Hurricanes 6-2. Zibanejad picked up three assists.

Facing the Lightning in the Conference Finals, the Rangers held serve by taking the first two games. However, the defending champs picked themselves up off the mat by scoring three straight goals, including Ondrej Palat’s winner at 19:18 of the third period to take Game 3. That was the turning point. After they evened the series, Palat broke Ranger hearts by scoring with 1:50 remaining in Game 5, which the Lightning took 3-1. Steven Stamkos’ series clincher came with over six minutes left in Game 6.

Despite both Kreider and Zibanejad tying for the team lead in goals (10), the Rangers didn’t get the chance to play for the Stanley Cup. Kreider finished with 16 points during the run, which was the best of his postseason career. Zibanejad paced them with 24 points.

Laviolette Replaces Gallant with Early Success

Following a disappointing first round exit to the Devils a year later, several players voiced their displeasure with Gallant, leading to his dismissal. Peter Laviolette replaced Gallant behind the Rangers bench. A proven winner, he had some early success last season.

Under Laviolette, the Rangers finished with the league’s best record to win the Presidents’ Trophy – setting franchise marks in both wins (55) and points (114). Kreider put together another productive season by notching 39 goals and tallying a career-high 36 assists for 75 points. His seven game-winners and 18 power-play goals led the team.

Panarin exploded with his best season – finishing with career bests in goals (49), assists (71), and points (120). The biggest difference was that both Alexis Lafreniere and Vincent Trocheck produced like stars to form a potent top line. The Rangers were able to lean heavily on strong special teams, with the third ranked power play carrying them.

Even though Zibanejad and Kreider started to show signs of slowing down at five-on-five, the Rangers made it all the way to the Conference Finals for the second time in three years.

Kreider’s Natural Hat Trick Propels Blueshirts

After jumping out to a 3-0 series lead against the Hurricanes in the second round, the Rangers had trouble finishing them off. After the Hurricanes eeked out a one-goal win to take Game 4, they erupted for four goals in the third period to take Game 5. Clearly with the momentum, the unthinkable started to look possible.

When the Canes got the first two goals of Game 6, it really felt like they’d have a shot at making history. Even when Trocheck cut the deficit in half, Sebastian Aho answered to restore a two-goal lead headed to the third period.

At that critical point, the Rangers had been severely outplayed. It was the goaltending of Shesterkin that gave them a chance at a comeback. When they got back into the locker room, a confident Kreider felt that he had some goals in his stick. That turned out to be prophetic.

With things looking bleak, Kreider went out and led by example when his team needed it most. On a play in transition, Zibanejad wisely threw the puck into Frederik Andersen’s pads from behind the net. Before he could freeze it, Kreider was able to get a backhand that squeezed through Andersen to cut it to 3-2.

Still trailing by one, the Rangers needed something on the power play, which had cooled off considerably. Shut down by the Canes since Game 2, a familiar hero emerged. On some excellent puck movement, Panarin fired a shot pass that Kreider tipped in to tie the score with 8:06 remaining. He’s always been a master at getting his stick on shots and deflecting it home. He’s made a career out of it.

With the crowd still buzzing due to the Ranger fans who attended, Kreider wasn’t done. On a play started by Jack Roslovic, he moved the puck for Lindgren who went around the net and sent a perfect pass in front for Kreider to put home to give the Rangers a 4-3 lead with 4:19 left in regulation. Kreider’s natural hat trick propelled the Blueshirts to the Eastern Conference Finals.

An empty netter from Barclay Goodrow sealed a dramatic come from behind 5-3 win to take Game 6 and eliminate the Canes.

Clawed By the Cats

In the Conference Finals, the Rangers responded to a Game 1 loss by taking the next two games in overtime. But unlike the script for Games 2 and 3, the Panthers turned the tables by taking Game 4 in sudden death.

A fantastic effort from Kreider turned in a shorthanded goal that put the Rangers in front early in Game 5. His partner in crime, Zibanejad picked up the only assist. It was a sweet finish from Kreider, who became a weapon on the penalty kill.

However, three consecutive goals from the Panthers put them in the driver’s seat. Following a Sam Bennett empty netter, Kreider and Zibanejad combined to set up Lafreniere for a goal that cut it to one with 50 seconds remaining. They weren’t able to force overtime.

Goals from Bennett and Vladimir Tarasenko proved to be too much along with the stingy Panthers defense. Had it not been for the brilliance of Shesterkin, the Rangers would have gone down easier. With him on the bench, Panarin got his first of the series to cut it to 2-1 with 1:40 remaining. That was as close as they came.

When the series was over, the trio of Kreider, Zibanejad, and Panarin came under criticism for not being able to score in the series. Kreider was held to a goal and assist. Zibanejad was held without a goal and two assists. Panarin was limited to a goal and three assists. The Rangers’ best forwards were Trocheck, Lafreniere, and Goodrow.

Ultimately, the Rangers were clawed by the Cats. They were the better team and proved it by dominating most of the play. The Panthers went on to win their first Stanley Cup.

Drury’s Memo Ruins Season

As has been well documented in many posts in this space, and from excellent reporters who cover the team, such as Mollie Walker of the NY Post and Vince Mercogliano of USA Today Sports, Drury has been responsible for most of the Rangers’ demise.

While the way he got rid of Goodrow, who was popular in the room, didn’t sit well with teammates, it was the way he handled both Trouba and Kreider that really destroyed the team. After an unsuccessful attempt to trade Trouba last summer, an impatient Drury sent out a memo to 31 teams that made both the Rangers captain and Kreider available. Something that should’ve been handled internally became public, fracturing the locker room.

Following a 12-4-1 start, the Rangers were never the same. They went 4-13 following the ill-fated memo. Drury’s memo ruined the season.

Not only did it hurt two locker room leaders who were a big part of two successful seasons, but it really messed up the chemistry. Say what you want about how both Kreider and Trouba performed. From a psychological standpoint, it had to be weighing on their minds. The team broke down and never recovered.

A long winter followed in a season of discontent. How bad was it for Kreider? He stopped making himself available following games in the locker room. Similar to Trouba, who eventually accepted a trade to Anaheim, he looked disinterested at times. Aside from the unnecessary off ice distraction, an achy back caused him to miss some games. Even when he returned, you never got the sense that he was ever fully healthy.

Perhaps that helps explain why Kreider accepted Laviolette’s demotion to the fourth line. Combined with the reacquisition of Miller, he lost his spot on the top power play unit. By that point, the once vaunted power play sunk faster the Titanic. The Rangers went from third in 2023-24 to 28th in 2024-25. Nothing worked. They also became so bad that during one critical stretch, they gave up more shorthanded goals than scoring on the power play. It became a disadvantage by the end of season.

Kreider Ties Camille Henry

Entering the season, it looked like a certainty that Kreider would pass Camille Henry for the most power-play goals in franchise history. Before the new calendar year, he scored the 115th PPG of his career versus the Panthers on Dec. 30.

It took Kreider almost two months to tie Henry. On Feb. 22, he scored his sixth power-play goal of the season in the second period versus the Sabres. Unfortunately, the Rangers were blown out 8-2 in Buffalo. Ironically, Zibanejad also scored in the same game. Despite tying Henry for the most power-play goals (116) in Rangers history, an injury cost Kreider the next seven games.

When he returned following the trade deadline, he was never the same. Whatever ailed him affected his play. He went long stretches without scoring. Eventually, he saw his ice time cut at even strength. He wasn’t featured as much on the power play. That more than anything is why Kreider never set a new franchise record.

Going Out the Right Way

Even though his role diminished, Laviolette made sure that Kreider would take one more regular shift with Zibanejad in the Rangers’ final game of the season. Two days after recording two assists for the only time in 2024-25, he went out the right way.

With the Rangers facing the Lightning on Apr. 17, they led 1-0 on a Trocheck shorthanded goal through two periods. Just over four minutes into the third period, a Zibanejad pass came to Kreider, who had his first attempt come back to him. The second one was a rocket that hit inside the goal and came out quickly. There was a bit of confusion from both refs. However, they correctly blew the whistle to review the play.

Even legendary Rangers announcer Sam Rosen hesitated when calling Kreider’s shot a goal. Of course, the video review confirmed that Kreider had scored the 326th goal of his career. All have come as a New York Ranger. If it was his final game as a Blueshirt, he finished in style by also setting up Zibanejad for his 20th goal.

When he got back to the bench, Kreider sat there very quietly next to his teammates. He hasn’t shown much emotion this season. After he scored his 22nd of the season, Will Cuylle grabbed the puck for him. One of the few bright spots in a lost season, Cuylle registered the first 20-goal season of his young career. A gritty player who also doubles on the penalty kill, Cuylle could become a possible replacement for Kreider. He picked up an assist on the goal.

Following the game, all the players stayed out for Blueshirts off their backs to lucky fans on the Garden ice. That included Kreider, who spent a lot of time out there before exiting. The game’s third star was well received by the appreciative fans who attended. He’s meant a lot to the team for over a decade. He has been part of five teams that reached the Final Four. That included the Stanley Cup Finals in 2014.

The franchise’s third all-time goal scorer is probably going to move on in the off-season. With two years remaining on a contract with a fair $6.5 million cap hit, Kreider has a partial no-trade clause. He will celebrate his 34th birthday on April 30. By the summer, he could have a new team.

Where Kreider Ranks

If it is over for him in the Big Apple, Kreider ranks third on the all-time Rangers franchise list in goals with 326 – trailing Hall of Famers Jean Ratelle (336) and Rod Gilbert (406). Here’s where he ranks in other categories.

Games Played 883 (8th)

Points 582 (10th)

Plus/Minus 121 (6th)

Even Strength Goals 197 (4th)

Shorthanded Goals 13 (4th)

Game-Winning Goals 50 (2nd)

Shots 2160 (5th)

Hat Tricks 7* (Tied for 2nd)

*Including playoffs

Whatever the future holds, Kreider has always been a good Ranger. He’s carried himself well on and off the ice. It might be over for him in New York City. But he deserves to be recognized when he returns. Even if his number isn’t retired by the franchise, expect the Rangers to pay tribute to Kreider in the future.

No. 20 will always hold a special place in this fan’s heart. Good luck, Kreids!