There is a fine line of being physical in the playoffs and going overboard, and it seems as if Chris Kreider is straddling that line almost every game.
The Rangers’ power-winger took a costly penalty in the first period of Game 6 on Tuesday in Tampa Bay, the end of an altercation with Steven Stamkos that started when the Lightning captain had a borderline hit-from-behind on his Rangers counterpart, Ryan McDonagh.
Coach Alain Vigneault said he thought McDonagh’s back was turned — thus the numbers on the back of his jersey were showing — and Stamkos slammed him into the boards after taking a couple of strides.