Kreider’s hat trick lifts Rangers past Canadiens for 6th straight win

NEW YORK -- Chris Kreider had his first hat trick in more than two years, and the New York Rangers won their sixth straight game, 7-4 against the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.

Kreider's last hat trick came Jan. 22, 2022, in a 7-3 win against the Arizona Coyotes. He has six in his NHL career.

"He was in the right place at the right time," center Mika Zibanejad said of Kreider. "I thought we had some good scoring chances. He's a goal-scorer, so that's what he does."

Zibanejad had a goal and two assists, each to Kreider. Adam Fox had four assists, Artemi Panarin had three assists, and Jonathan Quick made 31 saves.

The Rangers (35-16-3) next play Sunday against the New York Islanders in the 2024 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (3 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS).

"We're trying to keep this rolling," Fox said. "The outdoor game is going to be a fun experience for everyone, and it's still a big two points. We're trying to keep this going and also trying to soak in that experience and have fun with it, too."

Juraj Slafkovsky had a goal and an assist to extend his point streak to seven games for the Canadiens (22-24-8), who have lost three of four. Cole Caufield had two goals and an assist, and Sam Montembeault made 24 saves.

"That's one thing," Slafkovsky said of his point streak, "but we want to win these games and we want to stay in the mix for the playoffs, so we have to do a better job. We can't let seven goals in. You can't win the hockey game when that happens."

Jake Evans gave the Canadiens a 1-0 lead at 14:29 of the first period, putting in the rebound of Josh Anderson's shot from the slot.

The Canadiens felt they were in control in the first period and through the first 10 minutes of the second.

"Momentum is something that you've got to be able to harness," Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher said. "We kind of had the game in control at that point, and it gets away from us quick. It's a lesson we'll learn tonight and hopefully we won't repeat."

The Rangers scored four goals in a span of 4:10 in the second.

Kreider tied the game 1-1 at 11:09 with a one-timer from the top of the left circle.

Will Cuylle made it 2-1 at 12:27, scoring with a backhanded redirection in front off Ryan Lindgren's pass.

"You get a goal, you get a little bit more jump in your game,” Zibanejad said. “I thought up until that point, the first few minutes in the second was not great obviously, but we were a little more aggressive. We weren't waiting for anything to happen. We tried to take charge of that."

Zibanejad pushed it to 3-1 at 14:43, scoring short-handed during a delayed penalty with a one-timer from the left circle off a pass from Fox.

Montreal unsuccessfully challenged Zibanejad's goal for goaltender interference, resulting in a Rangers power play. Kreider scored on it, making it 4-1 with a deflection in front at 15:19 and ending New York's 0-for-18 slump on the power play.

"After the first period it was Mika and 'Kreids' and 'Foxy' picked it up, Panarin," New York coach Peter Laviolette said. "Our big guys got going and started really playing a much better game on the attack. … There were good things after the first period."

Slafkovsky scored with a wrist shot from the slot after a Rangers turnover to make it 4-2 at 16:30.

Vincent Trocheck extended the lead to 5-2 at 4:23 of the third with a snap shot from the high slot off a drop pass from Panarin.

Caufield cut it to 5-3 on the power play at 6:53. He redirected a shot from Mike Matheson in front that missed the net, went off the end boards and in off Quick's skate.

Kreider completed his hat trick by scoring off a 2-on-1 with Zibanejad to make it 6-3 at 7:59.

Kaapo Kakko picked up the puck at the right-side boards, cut through the right circle and beat Montembeault from a tight angle to push it to 7-3 at 9:56.

Caufield scored his second with a wrist shot between the circles at 11:27 for the 7-4 final.

"We've been finding ways to win differently," Zibanejad said. "I think we've played way better. There's been a few periods when we're not happy, but overall, it's been trending in the right direction. We've just got to keep it going."

NOTES: Gallagher played 12:24 in his return from a five-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech on Jan. 25. … Slafkovsky has 11 points (six goals, five assists) during his point streak. ... Rangers forward Blake Wheeler left the game with a lower-body injury at 10:47 of the first period. Wheeler couldn't put weight on his right leg as he was helped off the ice. He had to be put on a stretcher to be taken down the tunnel toward the dressing room. There was no update. He'll be evaluated Friday. … The Rangers tied their longest winning streak of the season (Oct. 21-Nov. 2).