BLOOD AND GUTS!

Kreider has fought through clot & returned in top form

SDec.T. LOUIS — Watching Chris Kreider on the ice lately, it’s easy to forget that it’s been less than three months since his arm swelled up because of a blood clot on 27. His trademark speed has been in full force since he returned on Feb. 23 against the Wild, less than seven weeks after he underwent a rib resection, a malformed rib he had his whole life causing the clot, signs of which included trouble breathing and coughing up blood.

Kreider is smiling a lot these days. He’s grateful for his health, appreciative for the chance to play hockey again, and his return not just to play but play with zip and at a level meeting pre-health-scare expectations is remarkable and a bright spot in a lost season.

“I’m having a ton of fun,” Kreider said Saturday after earning two more assists in the Rangers’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Blues. “This is free hockey. Some of the words that are thrown around, you never know. You never know if you’re gonna play this game again.”

That is why he’s trying to enjoy the ride and not take anything for granted. When he was named the first star Wednesday night in the Rangers’ comeback victory against the Penguins after recording three points in the third period and another in overtime, Kreider came back out onto the ice and raised his arms to encourage the crowd to get even louder, relishing the moment.

This may be “free hockey” for Kreider, but his work ethic to return to 100 percent and find his top level has stood out to Alain Vigneault

“For me, Kreids has always been a real pro in the sense that, he’s got to be one of the best athletes I’ve ever coached as far as his physical preparation,” Vigneault said. “He works so hard, does so much — sometimes you even wonder if he’s doing a little too much off the ice, and even on the ice.”

Kreider’s second assist Saturday was a no-look backhand pass through the crease to set up Mika Zibanejad’s powerplay goal in the second period. Kreider, who had a careerhigh four points on Wednesday, has 10 points in 11 games since returning from the clot, and he only played about two minutes against Tampa Bay on March 8 after leaving for precautionary reasons following head contact.

His recent performances are reminders of how good the 26-year-old Kreider can be when he’s in form, a tantalizing talent who has all the physical tools to be an All-Star. Getting him to be that player more consistently has been a goal of Vigneault’s.

“The way he played (Wednesday), that was a real powerful game,” Vigneault said. “We’re hoping that he’ll bring a little more consistency, and that’s one of the areas he’s been working on.” n the wake of the Rangers’ moves at the trade deadline, Kreider has been thrust into a bigger leadership role, Vigneault believing Kreider’s work ethic sets a great example for his teammates. Kreider is now the fourth-most tenured player on the team. “That’s weird, right? Strange,” Kreider says. “From a young guy, two months later and I’m the old guy. Things can change fast, I guess.”

IKreider knows that better than anyone after his health scare. He’s happy to play the game he loves, now more than ever.