Ducks ride third-period surge in Chris Kreider's emotional New York return

NEW YORK – There was a sea of blue No. 20 Rangers jerseys populating the visiting side during warmups at Madison Square Garden on Monday night – with good reason.

They wanted to see their favorite (now former) Ranger to take his first return laps wearing Anaheim Ducks orange and white. 

They cheered loudly when Chris Kreider finally burst out of the tunnel and went through the usual pre-game paces with teammates including former Rangers Jacob Trouba, Ryan Strome and Frank Vatrano – all of whom were then at center ice for the opening face-off. 

“That was a cool move by Coach Q,’’ Kreider said, referring to Ducks coach Joel Quenneville. 

When it came time for a nearly two-minute video tribute during the first period, Rangers faithful had their chance to applaud No. 20. Kreider soaked in the adulation, then took a short spin to center ice and back from the Anaheim bench, patting his chest several times in gratitude as players from both teams tapped their sticks on the ice in collective appreciation. 

“It was pretty cool. I don’t know how to put it into words,” Kreider said after the first period during an interview on the Ducks' Victory+ broadcast. “Certainly I had goosebumps. It was hard not to get emotional in the moment. I’m incredibly grateful for the warm welcome.”

The Ducks snapped a scoreless tie with a shorthanded rebound goal by defenseman Jackson LaCombe 7:18 into the second period, assisted on a flip out of the zone Trouba and a down-ice charge by Ryan Poehling.

New York’s power play continued to struggle without defenseman Adam Fox and Monday night’s scratched top scorer Mika Zibanejad, but the Rangers managed to finally score late in the second when defenseman Matthew Robertson’s long shot counted as officials ruled that Ducks goaltender Lukáš Dostál knocked the puck out of the air and into his net.   

Cutter Gauthier then put the visitors ahead to stay with a power-play goal 5:51 into the third period, rifling a shot past Igor Shesterkin off a feed by 19-year-old rookie Beckett Sennecke. The lead held, and the Ducks added two late goals for a 4-1 victory, their first win at the Garden since Nov. 4, 2013. 

“It was a little weird. It took me a couple of shifts to realize the guys in blue weren’t my teammates,’’ Kreider said of his initial moments not wearing the home colors to which he was so accustomed. 

The Ducks played hard, and again, their youth brigade came through – as the 21-year-old Gauthier took the team lead with his 18th goal into an empty net in the closing seconds and 22-year-old defenseman Pavel Mintyukov scored against Shesterkin with three seconds left. 

Ducks captain Radko Gudas said his team’s staunch effort against the Rangers was the least they could put forth to support Trouba and Kreider amid the emotional swirl of being the opposition for the first time in New York. 

“Guys were talking during the break. That was one of our best effort games this season,’’  the 35-year-old defenseman said. “We have some very talented young guys who are eager to make plays, get better and learn.” 

Kreider said he too is enjoying his elder statesman status with the earnest Ducks, who improved to 20-12-1 this season – tied with Vegas for the Pacific Division lead at 41 points.

“It’s been fun, a fun style of hockey. We get better by the day, by the week as a group as we continue to get more comfortable with systems.”

Kreider – as per his usual tendencies through hundreds of games at the Garden – was last off the ice after the win but this time at the visiting end of the ice where the Zamboni rolls out. 

He waited to congratulate Dostál who made 26 saves for his 12th win this season, then waved to a handful of fans above the tunnel heading to the Anaheim room.

After the game, Kreider noticed his buddy Zibanejad waiting a few steps beyond the Ducks room and the two embraced – a scene repeated countless times coming off the ice after Ranger wins. Nine seasons together doesn't evaporate the bonds of friendship.

Since his Rangers debut in the 2012 playoffs, Kreider played 883 regular-season games for the Rangers over the next 13 seasons, sixth-most in Rangers history. 

He is tied at 116 power play goals with Camille Henry – two ahead of Zibanejad – for most in Rangers history and Kreider’s 326 goals are third-best behind Rod Gilbert (406) and Jean Rattelle (336) in franchise lore.

Asked if there is one thing about being a New York mainstay that resonated on his momentous return night, Kreider kept it simple and focused on what is next.

“Columbus in 24 hours,’’ he said, adding a laugh. “Get the two, and get out of here.”

After changing and visiting with family and friends who attended what had to be one of the most unusual nights of his career, Kreider was on his way down the long ramp visiting players use to reach their team bus.

On this night at the Garden, his job as the opposition was complete.