Ranger Lifer Has Been On A Goal Scoring Tear Since Signing Extension

You read that right. The playoffs.

Prior to this, he never once played a single minute in the regular season. His first career goal came in Game six of the first round, against the Ottawa Senators which ended up being the game winner.

The Rangers would win that series in seven. His five goals that postseason is an NHL record for most playoff goals before playing his first regular season game.

Chris Kreider the last two seasons, has elevated his game, and raised his scoring production considerably, hitting 36 last season, and a career high 52 the season prior.

What's interesting is since Chris Kreider has signed his seven-year, $6.5 million extension in 2020, he's in the top-15 in goals scored. Even more interesting is the cap hit on his team, compared to the other goal scorers on that list.

Fellow Ranger, Mika Zibanejad, is also on this list. Chris Kreider alone occupies only 7.8% of the Rangers' cap space. Mika Zibanejad, with his $8.5 million salary, occupies 10.2%.

These two contracts are a big reason why the Rangers have been able to build a talented and well rounded core, and if the salary cap rises in the coming years, it'll be all the more sweeter for the Blueshirts!