Kreider scores two more goals in Rangers win against Jets

WINNIPEG --Chris Kreider scored two goals for the New York Rangers in a 4-1 win against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on Sunday.

Kreider has scored 38 goals this season, which is tied with Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers for second in the NHL. Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs is first with 39.
"I am playing with some unbelievable linemates (Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere) and unbelievable defensemen every time I'm on the ice," Kreider said. "The team is playing well. Our play has been clicking."
Igor Shesterkin made 45 saves, and Jacob Trouba had a goal and an assist for the Rangers (36-15-5), who have won three in a row. Artemi Panarin had two assists.
"The way [Shesterkin] is playing right now, I mean, we are truly spoiled," Kreider said. "The guy is unbelievable. He's been our best player all year. At this point, nothing really surprises me. He's just otherworldly. I don't think there are any superlatives left for him, he's that good. It really is incredible."

Nikolaj Ehlers scored, and Connor Hellebuyck made 18 saves for the Jets (24-22-10), who had a three-game point streak end (2-0-1).
"We know where we're at, we're not in a playoff spot," Ehlers said. "That's what you work hard for during the summer, and that's what you battle for in the regular season. … There's no excuses. We've just got to win some games."
Barclay Goodrow gave New York a 1-0 lead at 2:01 of the first period when he redirected a centering pass from Trouba.
"We got the early lead (but) it wasn't a great game," Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said. "I mean, the shots didn't indicate the game for me. … They shot a lot of pucks. Six power plays didn't help."
Kreider made it 2-0 at 17:28 with a power-play goal. Panarin's attempted pass to the slot was blocked by Adam Lowry, but the puck deflected to Kreider, who scored with a backhand at the top of the crease.
Ehlers scored his own power-play goal to cut it to 2-1 at 13:34 of the second period.
"Their goalie was good," Winnipeg coach Dave Lowry said. "If you look at where the shots were, they weren't outside shots. We had lots of shots inside, a lot of quality looks, and their goalie made a lot of saves."
Kreider pushed it to 3-1 at 6:21 of the third period. He won a race against Nate Schmidt for the puck, got around a poke check by Hellebuyck, and scored with a backhand.
"It's not going the way we hoped," Hellebuyck said. "You can only imagine how frustrating it is in the room. I don't think it's from lack of effort. I know that everyone cares and everyone wants it, but it's just not going our way."

Trouba made it 4-1 at 9:32 with a slap shot from the right point.
Shesterkin helped New York preserve the lead by making 17 saves in the third period.
"I had lots of work today, but we did a great job," Shesterkin said. "Blocked shots lots. PK [did a] great job (5-for-6) and solid play."
NOTES:Kreider has scored four goals in his past three games and has 53 points (38 goals, 15 assists) in 56 games, which is tied for his NHL career high he set in 75 games in 2016-17. He is also one point shy of 400 in the NHL. … Shesterkin is 10-0-0 in the NHL when making at least 40 saves. … Zibanejad has scored 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in his past five games against the Jets. … Ehlers' goal was his 150th in the NHL.