Key takeaways:
– New York Rangers’ Forward, Chris Kreider, criticized the conditions of the ice at Madison Square Garden following the NY Rangers’ loss to the Florida Panthers.
– Despite making it clear that the ice conditions were not intended as an excuse, NHL fans blasted Kreider for his comments.
– With the loss behind them, the Rangers are turning their attention to improving their performance in Game 2.
Ice Conditions Under Scrutiny After Rangers’ Loss
On May 22, the New York Rangers experienced a disappointing loss to the Florida Panthers in their opening game of the Eastern Conference Finals. While the Panthers trashed the Rangers by a 3-0 score, Rangers forward, Chris Kreider, voiced his concerns about the conditions at Madison Square Garden.
“We’re both playing on the same ice, but the ice wasn’t the best. That’s going to be the case when you’re playing warmer months, it’s warmer outside, there’s a lot of people in the building,” Kreider explained during a post-match conference.
Despite making it clear that the ice condition was not an alibi for their loss, Kreider felt its quality impacted their performance.
Fans Call Out Kreider for Ice Comments
Kreider’s criticisms of the ice conditions immediately found opposition amongst NHL fans who accused the health-forward of playing the blame game. Many fans expressed their disagreements on social media, challenging Kreider’s implications that the ice conditions may have contributed to the Rangers’ poor display.
Twitter user @Puckefeller remarked, “That was definitely an excuse.’ Another fan commented, “Ohhh Cmonnn with this nonsense. You’re better than that Kreider.”
While the ice situation was indeed universal to both teams, fans were disappointed with the lack of performance from the Rangers and felt the conditions should not have been a scapegoat for their loss.
Kreider’s Performance in Game 1
In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Kreider’s statistics were not at their usual level. He recorded a -2 with only two shots on goal in 19:39 minutes of game time.
This noticed decline in performance was not typical of Kreider, which led to the increased scrutiny and criticism from fans. Some even questioned whether the comments about the ice were a distraction from his individual performance.
Looking Forward to Game 2
Despite the unexpected setback in Game 1, the New York Rangers are setting their sights on improving their performance in Game 2. The next match is set to take place at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on May 24, offering the Rangers a chance to even up the series before they hit the road for Games 3 and 4 in Florida.
Rangers’ captain Jacob Trouba voiced his stance, “They play a pretty smart, simple game. I think we got to do the same. I think that’s the kind of game that’s going to be played. … It is one game. Come back and bring a better game in Game 2 and even this thing up.”
Ultimately, all eyes will be on the New York Rangers in their upcoming games, who will be under pressure to deliver improved performances. Irrespective of the conditions, the success or failure of the Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals rests solely on their ability to adapt and overcome challenges in their path.