After the New York Rangers got out to a 3-0 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, it seemed as though it was inevitable that New York would cruise to the Eastern Conference Final.
Then the Rangers lost games four and five and suddenly Carolina had a chance to tie the series Thursday night in Raleigh.
Everything was going right for the Hurricanes, who took a 3-1 lead into the third period.
But, Rangers left wing Chris Kreider wasn’t interested in playing a game seven. He was ready for the series to end.
Over the span of 9:02 in the third period, Kreider scored three goals in a row, completing a natural hat trick and bringing the Rangers from down 3-1 to up 4-3 with four minutes to play. The team would go on to add an empty net goal for a 5-3 win to close out the series.
Chris Kreider completes a natural hat trick to give the Rangers a 4-3 lead over the Hurricanes in the third period.
Carolina led New York 3-1 entering the third period. pic.twitter.com/BJ623MlDTZ
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 17, 2024
Kreider is just the third Ranger ever to score three goals in one postseason period, joining hall-of-famers Wayne Gretzky and the captain of New York’s most recent Stanley Cup win in 1994, Mark Messier.
"Chris Kreider with a third period hat trick joining Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky as the only Rangers who have scored three goals in one period on a playoff game. Some pretty good company."
– Kenny Albert. https://t.co/bFc0DEKq6g pic.twitter.com/rZgz1JJGgb
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 17, 2024
The Rangers will face the winner of Saturday’s game 7 between the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Final, their fourth conference final appearance since 2012.
Fans couldn’t get enough of Kreider’s monster performance in Thursday’s clincher.
PUT #20 IN THE RAFTERS TONIGHT
— #DankeJurgen (@JDsJustTalking) May 17, 2024
Retire his jersey tonight. I am dead serious. https://t.co/xm8PBvUAo3
— Thomas Cavanagh (@YouFoundTJ) May 17, 2024
never ever. speak on chris kreider’s name. im so serious. his number will be in the rafters.
— chris kreider respecter (@jonmoxIeys) May 17, 2024
Natural hat trick in the 3rd period to erase a 3-1 deficit on the road and close out a series is a very baller move
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) May 17, 2024
About Robert O'Neill