Chris Kreider Fuels Sensational Rangers Comeback With Third Period Hat Trick

The Rangers' all-time leader in playoff goals lifted New York to the Eastern Conference Final.

New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider celebrates with Jack Roslovic. / Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers are headed to the Eastern Conference Final after taking care of business in Game 6 on Thursday night, courtesy of a sensational third-period comeback which was spearheaded by the team's longest-tenured player, Chris Kreider.

Kreider recorded a natural hat trick in the third period, helping New York to erase a 3–1 deficit in order to win 5–3 and put an end to the Carolina Hurricanes' season.

Kreider became just the third player in Rangers' franchise history to record a hat trick in a single period of a playoff game, joining the elite company of Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier.

CHRIS KREIDER HAT TRICK 🤯

THE RANGERS HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD WITH 4:19 LEFT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/eBvbGP9EGx

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 17, 2024

It took Kreider just nine minutes to go from a scoreless outing to having one of the most memorable performances not only of his career, but of Rangers postseason history.

He's now up to 74 career points in the playoffs, which ranks third all-time for the Rangers. His 47 goals in the postseason are far and away the most in franchise history, and he'll look to continue to pad his lead in that regard now that the team has booked its ticket to the Eastern Conference Final.

What a night for No. 20. pic.twitter.com/41h8bGcjZi

— x - New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 17, 2024

New York is now just four wins away from making its first Stanley Cup Finals appearance since 2014, and it'll be seeking its first championship since 1994.

Kreider is now tied for the postseason lead with nine goals with Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman and Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin, who will miss the rest of the playoffs due to a suspension.