Looking Backward At An Exciting Rangers-Senators Series: Chris Kreider's Emergence

A Baker's Dozen years ago – April 10, 2012 to be exact – the Rangers signed Chris Kreider to an entry-level contract.

Kreider had just helped Boston College to the National Championship and now he was thrust into the NHL's Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

It was the Rangers vs. Senators and Ottawa had now pushed the Blueshirts to a game seven. The series had featured outstanding defense and the deciding game was no different.

As one reporter put it, "If the Rangers win, it will be because of its defensemen."

Sure enough with the game scoreless going into the second period, Marc Staal scored for New York by converting a cross-ice pass from Derek Stepan.

Not long after that Dan Girardi beat Senators goalie Craig Anderson to give the Blueshirts a 2-0 lead. Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson made it close with a goal but Henrik Lundqvist took care of the rest.

The Rangers won, 2-1, and Chris Kreider was off and running on a long – still going – career!