Remember when debating whether to send Kreider to Hartford for the rest of this season was a thing? Is there any doubt that the New York Rangers made the right decision to call up Boston College's Chris Kreider for the Stanley Cup Playoffs?
Kreider scored yet another goal in Saturday's Eastern Conference Finals game three, giving the Blueshirts a 2-1 series lead over the New Jersey Devils.
Less than two minutes later, at 5:16, Kreider doubled the advantage. His drive from the left side snuck past Brodeur's glove hand to stun the Prudential Center. The rookie also continues to surprise his everyone on his bench, including Tortorella.
"I don't know the kid at all," Tortorella said. "I've spoken to him probably three or four times since he's been here. But he has a knack. The puck follows him around."
The goal was Kreider's fifth of the postseason (read: career) and third of the series. His goal on Saturday broke a 59-year NHL scoring record for the most playoff goals (5) and points (7) in a season without having played in a single regular season game. The previous record belonged to the Eddie Mazur, a forward for the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks. Mazur actually set the record over three different postseasons between 1950 and 1953 before appearing in his first regular season game during the 1953-54 season. He would go on to play just three regular seasons in the NHL, scoring eight goals.
Something tells me Kreider is in store for a few more goals over his career.