Chris Kreider’ Strong Season Start Continues In Rangers’ 7-4 Win Over Sharks

Chris Kreider continued his powerful start to the season, and rookie Jimmy Vesey’s first career NHL goal turned into the game-winner in the New York Rangers‘ 7-4 home victory over the San Jose Sharks on Monday.

Chris Kreider’ Strong Season Start Continues In Rangers’ 7-4 Win Over Sharks

Kreider earned his third consecutive game with a goal and an assist, giving him three of each in the first three games.

Entering his fourth NHL season, the left wing– a product of Boston College– is garnering much praise.

“He’s a power forward who is playing to his strengths,” Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said of Kreider. “He’s tough to handle right now, whether on the initial rush or down low in the opposition’s end. He makes it real challenging for the other team.”\

Kreider signed a four-year, $18.5 million contract on July 22.

Vesey’s first career goal came at 12:37 of the third period to put New York up 5-2. It came 21 seconds after center Kevin Hayes scored. Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (13:57) and forward Joe Pavelski (15:31) scored shortly afterwards.

Vesey, last season’s Hobey Baker Award winner out of Harvard who signed with the Rangers as an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 20, received a standing ovation when his goal was announced.

Wingers Mats Zuccarello and Michael Grabner scored empty-net goals to secure the win for the Rangers (2-1-0), who handed the Sharks their first loss of the season (2-1-0).

“Definitely just pure joy,” Vesey said of his goal. “I think I expressed it a little on the ice. I think I gave two fist pumps.”

Rangers goalie Antti Raanta had 21 saves in his first start. Zuccarello had three points on a goal and two assists. Marc Staal, Rick Nash and Hayes scored their first goals, while captain Ryan McDonagh and center Derek Stepan had two assists.

Sharks goalie Martin Jones made 22 saves.

Burns scored twice in the third period to give him three goals this season. He also recorded an assist on Pavelski’s goal. Pavelski had three assists for a four-point game. Center Logan Couture scored a 5-on-3 goal at 19:02 of the first period.

“They’re the Stanley Cup finalist and they had one of the best road records last year, so we knew they were going to have a push; made it an exciting game,” Vigneault said. “Unfortunately they got a couple good opportunities in the third, but other than that I thought we played a real solid game.”

Kreider pushed the Rangers’ lead to 3-1 with a power-play goal at 10:21 of the second. Burns scored at 9:13 of the third period to trim the deficit to 3-2, thus sparking a stretch that featured seven goals in the final 10:47 of the game.

According to the Rangers, Kreider is the team’s first player since Brian Leetch in 1992-93 to tally six points in New York’s first three games. He also became the first New York forward to record six points in three games to start a season since Bernie Nicholls and Darren Turcotte in 1990-91.

“You want to play instinctually,” Kreider said. “You simplify your game; you get back to the stuff you know you do well. A lot of time that adversity helps you focus. From there, lock in on what you do well and do on a consistent basis.”

The Sharks will next visit the New York Islanders on Tuesday, while the Rangers will host the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday.

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 17: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers in action against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at Madison Square Garden on October 17, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)