Rangers’ Chris Kreider gets brutally honest after Game 1 loss to Panthers

Chris Kreider also pointed out that his team may have had the wrong mentality against the Panthers. When things go wrong, you instinctually try to play harder and more intense. But sometimes slowing things down to carefully make the right decisions can benefit a team more in the end. And the Rangers star thinks his team can get a bit carried away sometimes.

“We have a tendency to sometimes try to do a little too much when it’s not there instead of just playing even, increasingly more and more simple, understanding that we’re not doing a good job of getting through the neutral zone. … You have to work smart, not just hard,” Kreider told Rosen on Wednesday night.

In the end, the Rangers had no answers during this opening contest. The Panthers were able to generate offense when needed. And they even took advantage of a rather costly mistake in the third period. Now, New York needs to make the necessary adjustments to avoid losing both of their games on home ice.

A costly mistake

The Panthers had a 1-0 lead late in the third period. With time ticking down, the puck was dumped into New York’s zone. Goalie Igor Shesterkin played the puck, but couldn’t clear it. Florida regain possession and they attempted to move the puck around. However, a pass was deflected off of the stick of New York forward Alexis Lafreniere and into the net.

That goal gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead, and they’d go on to win 3-0. It was a crushing moment for Lafreniere. The former first-overall pick has played well in the Stanley Cup Playoffs to this point. Unfortunately, this play got away from him. But his teammates had his back after the game.

“I don’t think anyone’s looking at him for that play. He had a chance to tie the game in the 3rd. He’s been a huge part of the team all year, he’s played great in the playoffs. As a team, we’re looking to respond next game,” veteran forward Jimmy Vesey said, via Mollie Walker of the New York Post.

Chris Kreider and the Rangers hope to avoid heading to Florida down 2-0 in the series. They take the ice again on Friday night for the second game of this Eastern Conference Final. Puck drop is currently scheduled for 8 PM Eastern Time on Friday night.