New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider was a healthy scratch for Monday’s game against the New Jersey Devils, marking his first time being sidelined this season.
The Rangers have been struggling, losing their fourth consecutive home game 3-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.
Since a win in Vancouver on Nov. 19, New York has dropped 12 of its last 16 games. Kreider and his long-time linemate Mika Zibanejad have particularly faced difficulties during this stretch.
In Kreider’s absence, forward Jonny Brodzinski was inserted into the lineup against New Jersey.
Kreider, 33, has registered 11 goals and one assist through 30 games this season. He missed three games in late November due to an upper-body injury.
The left winger set a career-high with 52 goals during the 2021-22 season and has been a consistent contributor for the Rangers since debuting in the 2012 playoffs.
Last season, Kreider scored 39 goals and tallied 75 points. A first-round draft pick by the Rangers in 2009 (19th overall), Kreider has played 845 regular-season games and 123 playoff games in his career.
Kreider ranks third on the franchise’s all-time goal list with 315, behind Rod Gilbert (406) and Jean Ratelle (336). He also has 114 career power-play goals, the second-most in team history.
Kreider is under contract for two more seasons after this one, on his seven-year, $45.5 million deal, which runs through the 2026-27 season.
