Typically, Chris Kreider doesn’t watch the Stanley Cup Final after the New York Rangers have been eliminated from the playoffs. But this year was different.
“Unfortunately, I did,” Kreider said when asked if he watched the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup this past spring. “I usually don’t, but for whatever reason I just wanted to suffer through it.”
The Rangers, of course, lost in six games to the Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final, bringing an abrupt and disappointing end to their memorable season, which included franchise records for wins (55) and points (114), and the Presidents’ Trophy.
So, watching the Panthers move on to win their first Stanley Cup championship was a painful experience for the Rangers forward, who scored eight goals in the postseason, but just one against the Panthers. It especially hurts because Kreider believes the Blueshirts could have won the conference final and advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2014.
“I think, to a man, we all knew we were right there with them,” Kreider shared. “It’s a game of inches.”
The Rangers actually led the conference final 2-1 after dramatic consecutive overtime victories in Games 2 and 3. And following a dominant regular season and two previous overtime wins in the second round against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Rangers had the look of a team of destiny.
That is, until the Panthers won three straight one-goal games to move on to the Cup Final, where they outlasted the Edmonton Oilers in seven games.
“I mean, i think that was the best team we played all year,” Kreider said. “I think they had absolutely zero ego to their game, they got to their game quicker than any other team, they had complete buy-in up and down the lineup.”
Kreider was here in Stamford to take part in the Shoulder Check Showcase charity hockey game for the second straight year. He and Anaheim Ducks star Trevor Zegras, a Connecticut native, were again at the forefront recruiting NHL and PWHL players to participate. Among those who took part were Jonathan Quick, Matt Rempe and Brett Berard of the Rangers. MSG broadcaster Dave Maloney was the emcee.
Shoulder Check and the HT40 Foundation were created by Rob Thorsen and Sarah Thompson in memory of their son Hayden, a hockey goalie who took his life at the age of 16 in 2022. They’re looking to spread awareness for those in need, particularly teenagers suffering from depression, anxiety and/or loneliness.
Their message is direct and to the point: Reach out. Check in. Make contact.
“The event, the message is a simple thing but not always an easy thing to check in and make sure people around you in your life are doing well,” Kreider explained. “Everyone is going through their own battles. Simple but not easy, and incredibly important.”
Some big time @NHL star power in CT lending support to the Shoulder Check Showcase for mental health awareness. @NYRangers stars Chris Kreider, Jonathan Quick & Matt Rempe among the many offering a helping hand @WTNH pic.twitter.com/OPt0hvh6VC
— John Pierson (@JPPierson) July 26, 2024
Kreider received a huge ovation from the crowd at Terry Connors Ice Rink on Thursday, the last player introduced. He then scored the game’s first goal, which was soon followed by a breakaway tally from Rempe that brought the house down, and the game-winner in the shootout.
The Rangers 33-year-old veteran will be taking the popular 22-year-old forward under his wing for the rest of the summer. Rempe revealed Thursday that instead of heading back home to Alberta after the Shoulder Check event, he’s going to remain in the tri-state area to train with Kreider until Rangers training camp opens in September.
“He’s incredibly driven, incredibly focused. He wants to get better every single day,” Kreider said about Rempe. “And he’s going to. He’s super disciplined and has incredible will power. He’s a sponge. So, yeah, he’s just going to keep on getting better.”
And Kreider knows that the Rangers must get better as a whole this season if they’re going to make that leap into the Cup Final and win their first Stanley Cup title since 1994.
“It’s a super close group, obviously not a ton of turnover, so I think everyone is kind of in the same frame of mind, champing at the bit ready to go.”
