After a great playoff run last year, many were expecting Chris Kreider to take that next step this year and become a 20-30 goal scorer. Thus far, it has not gone that way for Kreider, as he has struggled over the last couple of weeks and, for the most part, this season. For the New York Rangers to find more consistency in their game, they need Kreider to find his A-game quickly.

Kreider only has four goals this season to go along with nine assists. His advanced statistics are also taking a hit. His corsi for percentage is at 51.5, which is a healthy drop from his 55.2 CF percentage from last season. He is also taking penalties at an astounding rate, leading the Rangers in penalty minutes with 48. Second place is Marc Staal with 22 penalty minutes, so obviously Kreider’s discipline has taken a step back as well this year.

Not only are Kreider’s statistics lacking, he has disappeared in some games. He continually turns the puck over in the offensive zone. Many times when the Rangers are cycling the puck, he will blindly throw a pass behind the net or into the slot, leading to a turnover. His physical play has obviously not been that great as well, and you have to wonder if he has been playing tentatively since his five-minute major against the Minnesota Wild.

During the playoffs last year, the Rangers’ fortunes turned when Kreider came back into the lineup. Many people will point to the team rallying around Martin St. Louis — which is true as well — but the Rangers took off when Kreider came back. He was causing havoc with his speed, constantly putting pressure on defensemen. His speed was such a concern for other teams that defensemen were backing up trying not to get burned by him.

Kreider is one of the most important players on the Rangers’ roster, and he needs to get his confidence back up. He needs to start using his speed and size, but he also needs to be a smarter player. The Rangers need Kreider to find his game and find it quickly.