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In case you missed it yesterday, Chris Kreider skated on the fourth line with Dominic Moore and Jesper Fast, signaling that the winger’s continued lack of production is starting to catch the coaching staff’s ire. Kreider is certainly having an off-year thus far, with just 13 points (4-9-13) through 24 games. While that isn’t too far off his pace last year (13-20-37 in 66 games), the issue is a bit beyond his point pace.
Kreider hasn’t scored in 11 games, and has just 3 assists in that span. Considering his top-six minutes, primarily with Derek Stepan and Martin St. Louis, that’s a pretty bad slump. Kreider is shooting about 3% below his career average at the moment, with no goals on his last 19 shots.
The good news is that Kreider is still on the positive side of the puck possession arrow (50.8% CF), but that is in 56% offensive zone starts. His QoT is in the top-six on the team in terms of ice time, which is expected. However, Kreider is tops on the team in terms of linemate CF% at 52.6%.
What all means: Kreider is being given every chance to succeed with quality teammates and favorable zone starts, but hasn’t been delivering over the past month. Considering Kreider isn’t really the best defensive player out there, he needs to score.
The problem is that Kreider seems to be able to score on the rush only. We know the play: Kreider streaks down the wing, a teammate throws the puck off the boards behind him, allowing Kreider to skate up to the puck after it ricochets in front of him, using his speed to burn the defense for a quality chance. Good coaches have recognized this, and shut it down. Kreider needs to learn a new trick.
J.T. Miller has shown, at least for now, some chemistry with Stepan and St. Louis, which is why Alain Vigneault made the swap for tonight’s late night game in Vancouver. I don’t think this is a message to Kreider, but it is well-known that Kreider can’t continue to go 11 games without a goal.
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