Kreider has three points in Rangers victory against Blackhawks

CHICAGO -- Chris Kreider had a goal and two assists, and the New York Rangers scored five times in the third period for a 6-3 win against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center on Wednesday.

Mika Zibanejad had a goal and three assists, and Igor Shesterkin made 37 saves after missing three games with a lower-body injury for New York (31-24-4), which has won five of six. The Rangers moved within six points of the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets for the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
"One of the things we talked about between the second and the third was we need to] put ourselves in position to win a hockey game by playing 20 good minutes of hockey, because we certainly didn't play 40 good minutes of hockey when the game started," Rangers coach David Quinn said. "Rarely do you get that opportunity in this league, and our guys responded."
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Dominik Kubalik scored two goals, and Robin Lehner made 35 saves for the Blackhawks (26-26-8), who are 2-6-2 in their past 10 games. Chicago trails the Calgary Flames and the Arizona Coyotes by eight points for the first wild card from the West.
"Yeah, I would say collapse," Lehner said of allowing five goals in the third period. "Look at their goals. A lot of alone chances right in front. We got outbattled. I need to make an extra save, but honestly, that period was not very good."
Pavel Buchnevich gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead at 2:33 of the third period with a shot from the slot. Ryan Strome made it 3-1 at 4:01 with a power-play goal off a rebound in front.
"[I] thought we did a better job skating in small areas there at the beginning of the third, forced some turnovers, finishing checks," Kreider said. "We were physical enough through the first 40. I think we were lucky it was 1-1 going into the third. Igor kept us in it."

Kubalik scored his 25th goal of the season to cut the lead to 3-2 at 6:05. Kreider, reportedly a player of interest with the NHL Trade Deadline on Monday. sneaked a backhand past Lehner to make it 4-2 at 8:48.
Artemi Panarin's slap shot from the slot extended the Rangers' lead to 5-2 at 9:41. It was his 30th goal of the season and 399th NHL point.
Drake Caggiula brought the Blackhawks within 5-3 at 11:39 with a one-timer in the slot. Zibanejad redirected Buchnevich's shot at 13:37 for the 6-3 final.
"Our third period, just nowhere near good enough, especially away from the puck," Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton said. "We just didn't have enough guys going. We're a team that we need everyone going to compete. When we have everyone going, we have a good chance to win every night, and that's just not what we had tonight. Very disappointed."

Filip Chytil put the Rangers up 1-0 at 1:58 of the first period with a wrist shot from the left circle. Kubalik scored from the left circle to tie it 1-1 at 2:29 of the second period.

They said it

"We've really become a team over the last two months. Listen, you've got to win games when you're not playing great, and we certainly had a sluggish first two periods. Both teams really were sloppy, not a lot of hitting, and didn't have a great feel to it. I thought we actually did a good job kind of changing gears and playing a much better, purposeful third period." -- Rangers coach David Quinn
"It's very concerning. I think that game was there to be had. A lot of opportunities, a lot of open ice. Again, there's moments where we're playing our game where we have four lines rolling, guys are making good changes, getting pucks deep, making other teams play where they don't want to play, and other times we just get away from that. Our turnovers are in the wrong areas and [defensemen], forwards can do a better job of supporting each other, so just little details like that." -- Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews

Need to know

Forward Julien Gauthier had one shot on goal in 7:18 in his Rangers debut. He was acquired in a trade with the Hurricanes for defenseman Joey Keane on Tuesday. … Panarin has eight points (three goals, five assists) during a seven-game point streak. …. The Blackhawks are 0-for-17 on the power play in their past six games. … Keith got his 500th NHL assist in his 1,128th game. .. The Rangers acquired goalie J-F Berube in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers for future considerations Wednesday. He signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Flyers on July 1 and hasn't played in the NHL this season.

What's next

Rangers:At the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday (7 p.m. ET; FS-CR, MSG 2, NHL.TV)
Blackhawks: Host the Nashville Predators on Friday (8:30 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, FS-TN, NHL.TV)