Chris Kreider throws himself under the bus after Game 7 loss

The New York Rangers are left picking up the pieces after they blew a 2-0 series lead against the arch rival New Jersey Devils, who would win four of the next five games in their Round 1 Stanley Cup Playoff matchup that culminated in a 4-0 victory in Game 7 last night at Prudential Center. 

The Devils move on to play the Carolina Hurricanes, while the Rangers dream of returning to the Eastern Conference Final for the second straight year were dashed. And there's been plenty of blame passed around by Rangers fans and media members following the inexplicably poor performances from offensive leaders like Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad, along with Alexis Lafrenière going pointless in all seven games. 

And another key member of the team is speaking out about his own subpar performance in forward Chris Kreider, who was a -4 in the deciding 7th game. 

“I’m one of the veteran leaders, I’m one of the guys who should have set the example and instead I’m on for all four goals against,” an upset Kreider explained. “That cannot happen and especially in Game 7. It was shameful." 

Kreider saw his offensive production dip from last season's 77 points (52 goals) to 54 points this year, but he still remains as important a figure in the Rangers lineup, and he's understandably unhappy with his performance after his team's season came to an early end.