After Rangers rookie Chris Kreider made some defensive mistakes in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Capitals, coach John Tortorella thought it was best for the forward to sit for all but 31 seconds of the third period.
“There were some struggles away from the puck for him,” Tortorella said after the team went through an optional skate ahead of tonight’s Game 5 at the Garden, where the series will resume with the teams tied at two games apiece. “Sometimes it’s good to watch, so we’ll see where it goes next game.”
With the way Kreider has immediately produced upon being inserted into the Rangers’ lineup, including scoring two game-winning goals, it’s easy to forget he turned 21 on April 30 and a month ago was leading Boston College to a national championship.
“Obviously it was the right decision,” Kreider said. “I made a couple mistakes defensively … it’s something to work on.
“I was still extremely engaged and ready to go if he called [my] name,” Kreider said. “At the same time, I’m trying to soak everything in, and anytime you can sit back and watch, you’re gonna learn something.”
After seeing the way he has handled himself since signing with the Rangers straight out of Boston College last month, his teammates didn’t expect Saturday’s benching to do much to rattle Kreider’s confidence.
“It’s part of the process,” said Rangers captain Ryan Callahan. “It’s gonna happen throughout the year, and he handles himself fine … I’m sure he’ll be ready to go.”
Tortorella shared that sentiment, adding he expects the 21-year-old forward to bounce back as the series moves forward.
“For all of our kids, there’s gonna be bumps in the road,” he said. “His are more magnified because it’s in the middle of the playoffs, but I have full confidence that he’s gonna be able to handle that, learn from a couple mistakes and be better for it.
“He’s got a good head on his shoulders.”
Kreider said he’s still going to go about his business the way he has since turning pro, with that approach leading to him quickly becoming an important piece in the Rangers’ playoff push.
“The approach was shut up, listen and work hard,” Kreider said. “That’s still the approach. Anytime you’re coming into a locker room you have to earn the respect of the guys who are already there. They’ve worked hard to get to this point, and they’ve accomplished a whole lot.
“You just want to work hard and try to contribute.”