It is now impossible to tell the story of New York Rangers playoff excellence without putting Chris Kreider into focus.
Following three straight wins against the Hurricanes in the second round of the playoffs, the Blueshirts lost a close one in Game 4 and then laid an egg at home in Game 5. For two periods in Game 6, the Rangers looked completely out of it.
Then Chris Kreider happened. A natural hat-trick in the third period lifted the Rangers out of a lifeless daze. All three goals around the front of the net. No surprise for one of the league's best power forwards.