Regarding the Rangers, into Philadelphia on Thursday with a 5-3-2 post-deadline record that includes one victory (over the Penguins) against a playoff-position team.
1. A lean and mean machine, that’s the new and improved Chris Kreider, who is at least a step faster after having dropped about 15 pounds in the aftermath of his rib resection. Kreider, who had been playing at 235 pounds, intends to maintain his physique going forward.
“What I’ve learned is that by getting to the puck even a millisecond sooner, you have such an advantage in battles because you have the leverage,” Kreider told The Post.