As the New York Rangers’ top-line left wing, Chris Kreider entered the 2017-18 season with high expectations. He established career-best marks of 28 goals and 53 points last year, and with the promise of a full season together with Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich, Kreider appeared primed for another breakout.
But that was not to be. Kreider enjoyed a reasonably fast start—10 goals, 6 assists, 16 points in 25 games through November—but his scoring tailed off approaching Christmas. During that time, though, Kreider continued to be a playmaker and, as he has for years, drove play toward the offensive end.