New York Rangers veteran center Chris Kreider pulled off a miraculous third-period come-from-behind victory in Game 6 against the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-3, to lead his team to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Rangers trailed 3-1 heading into the third period, and all signs pointed to the Hurricanes coming from behind 3-0 in the series all the way to Game 7. The only remedy for the Rangers is to stay alert around the net and find a way to get the puck into the net, no matter what.
Kreider makes a living scoring tough goals in the NHL and stepped up when his team needed him, scoring three goals late in the third period to give the Rangers the lead.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers takes action against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period of Game 6 of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina on May 16, 2024. Move the puck in a matchup. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Yes, he got a hat trick in one period. A legendary performance by a franchise great.
The first of Kreider’s three goals during this period came at 6:43 into the most intense 20 minutes of this second round series. Mika Zibanejad threw the puck toward Hurricanes goaltender Freddie Anderson as it circled the net, and the puck stuck to Anderson’s left skate.
Kreider, who was charging towards the crease, saw the puck and simply slammed his stick into it before Anderson lowered his glove to ice it. Now 3-2, the Rangers are starting to show some signs of life despite a rough first and second period in which Carolina dominated.
Fans call for suspension after Rangers captain’s ‘dirty’ hit attempt ‘disgraceful act’
Then, 10 minutes, 58 seconds into the period, Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal committed a costly penalty, leaving the Hurricanes with four players on the ice and needing a penalty to maintain a one-point lead.
Carolina put a lot of pressure on the Rangers at first, but once they settled in the zone, the Blueshirts picked up the pace. Vincente Trocheck passed to Artemi Panarin, who took a shot and Kreider slotted it into the goal.
Mission complete.
The Rangers were elated that the game was tied at three goals apiece, allowing them to pull off a comeback and potentially advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Riding the momentum, the Rangers made a great forecheck with less than five minutes left. After several shots failed to find the back of the net, Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren retrieved the puck, slid it behind the net, and was in perfect position to make a quick pass to the forward line. There was no one else but Kreider.
He wasted no time in beating Anderson and the Canes faithful were completely stunned as Rangers celebrated their assistant captain’s hat-trick.
But they knew the work wasn’t done yet. There was still plenty of time left, and with 2:48 remaining, head coach Rod Brind’Amour decided to pull up his goaltender, giving the Canes one extra player on the ice.
Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers shoots Chris Ku of the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period of Game 6 of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina on May 16, 2024. Celebrating rider #20’s goal. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
And when Andrei Svechnikov watched a pinball puck bounce in front of him, beaten only by Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterskin, did the Hurricanes have a chance to put some energy back into the building?
Shesterskin, who made 33 saves on the night, made the most important save, firing a right foot to deflect a quick wrister from Svechnikov, keeping New York’s lead intact.
After repeated icing, assistant captain Barclay Goodrow finally tossed the puck onto the ice, scoring into an empty net with 48 seconds left and calling the game.
The Hurricanes certainly had a good run, but the Rangers were watching one of their most trusted players for over a decade answer the call to action.
Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers celebrates a goal during the third period of Game 6 of the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 16, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Well, New York is back home and will be sure to turn on the TV to watch Game 6 between the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins on Friday night. Because one of these teams will be their opponent in the Eastern Conference Finals. Florida currently leads the series 3-2.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcastplease subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
