RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The New York Rangers went from cruising through the NHL playoffs with an unbeaten record to suddenly struggling to close out a second-round series despite having a huge lead.
Worse, they found themselves down entering the third period with the prospect of having to play a Game 7.
Instead, Chris Kreider took over to ensure the Presidents' Trophy winners finally closed out the Carolina Hurricanes and earned their spot in the Eastern Conference Final.
Kreider had a third-period hat trick to help the Rangers erase a two-goal deficit and beat the Hurricanes 5-3 in Game 6 on Thursday night, a stunning reversal after their postseason momentum had gone decidedly in the wrong direction.