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[New York Rangers]

Rangers vs. Ducks: Lineups, storylines when Kreider, Trouba return to MSG

There’s no escaping the fact that it’s going to be an emotional night Monday at Madison Square Garden, when the New York Rangers host the Anaheim Ducks,

That’s because Chris Kreider, one of the most popular players of this current Rangers era, returns to MSG for the first time since being traded to the Ducks this past offseason. There’s sure to be an outpouring of love for Kreider, who’s third in Rangers history with 326 goals, first with 48 goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and tied for first with 116 power-play goals.

As for a bit of revenge or extra motivation on Kreider’s part, don’t expect him to admit to anything, based on his comments to The Athletic last week.

“I don’t think that’s something that you can use consistently,” the 34-year-old forward explained. “I think that ends up being more of an energy sap. I’m intrinsically motivated. I don’t need anyone else to push me. That daily process, that daily mission — I know what I want to work on, what I want to accomplish. I think all the other stuff is just noise.”

Perhaps that’s so. But Kreider played 883 regular-season games over 13 seasons with the Rangers, and there’s a good chance his No. 20 gets raised to the MSG rafters one day after his career is over. He helped the Rangers reach the 2014 Stanley Cup Final, win the Presidents’ Trophy twice, and play in the Eastern Conference Final five times.

That video tribute Monday will bring cheers and a standing ovation from the Rangers Faithful. And more than a few tears from fans, and perhaps Kreider, too.

If all that’s not enough, it’s also Jacob Trouba’s first return to The Garden since the Rangers traded the 28th captain in franchise history to the Ducks on Dec. 6, 2024. He’s not nearly as beloved as Kreider, but the Trouba Train running through MSG again should elicit powerful memories, as well.

So, you’ve got the makings of a must-see event.

Plus, this should be a real good hockey game. The Rangers (16-13-4) come off a thrilling gut-check victory over the Montreal Canadiens, winning 5-4 in overtime Saturday after rallying from down 3-0 and 4-2. The Rangers earned points in eight of their past 10 games (6-2-2), including each of their past four home contests (2-0-2).

The Ducks (19-12-1) are second in the Pacific Division, and among the biggest surprises in the NHL this season. However, they lost two straight, including 4-1 at the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, and are 8-9-0 since Nov. 11.

In their past 12 games against the Ducks, the Rangers have a 9-1-2 record. The Rangers are on a 10-game home-winning streak against the Ducks at MSG.

3 storylines when Rangers host Ducks​

John Jones-Imagn Images

1. Setting friendship aside​

An intriguing subplot to this one is how Kreider and his best friend on the Rangers, Mika Zibanejad, fare going head-to-head against one another. The longtime linemates are very close, with Zibanejad serving as Kreider’s best man in his wedding in 2023. Each is a proud athlete and competitor, as well, so this should be a doozy if each pushes the other on the ice Monday.

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

After struggles on and off the ice for each last season, Kreider and Zibanejad are back in top form in 2025-26. Kreider is third on the Ducks with 13 goals, and his six power-play tallies not only lead them, but are tied with Zibanejad for 10th most in the NHL.

Zibanejad leads the Rangers with 11 goals, and is third with 25 points. The 32-year-old set up J.T. Miller’s overtime winner against the Canadiens and has points in eight of his past nine games (three goals, six points). He also owns the Ducks, with points in 10 of his past 11 games against them (nine goals, eight assists).

2. It’s not just Kreider ​

The Ducks are second in the NHL, averaging 3.44 goals per game. Kreider’s a big part of the explosive Ducks core, one that features some of the best young talent in the NHL.

Forward Leo Carlsson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 32 games, tied for 10th in the NHL scoring race. Teammates Cutter Gauthier (16 goals, 18 assists) and Troy Terry (10 goals, 24 assists) each have 34 points, giving the Ducks three players with more points than the Rangers leading scorer, Artemi Panarin (33 points; 11 goals, 12 assists).

Scoring goals isn’t an issue for the Ducks, but keeping the puck out of their own net is. Anaheim is 25th in the League with a team 3.34 goals-against average.

3. Power Ranger​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Rangers coach Mike Sullivan simply gushed about Miller following the big win Saturday. Miller scored the tying and winning goals, including his second OT goal this season. And Sullivan loved how each was scored.

“The two goals he scored are prototypical J.T. Miller hockey. One’s at the blue paint, he plays his power game. And the overtime winner is, that one-timer is a missile. That’s a goal scorer’s goal, and that’s what he’s capable of,” Sullivan said postgame.

Miller arrived back on Broadway last season in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks, nearly eight weeks after the Rangers dealt Trouba to the Ducks. So, they weren’t Blueshirt teammates. But they’re forever linked since Miller became the 29th captain in Rangers history at the start of this season, replacing Trouba.

Miller now has nine goals and 20 points in 32 games this season. Trouba’s excelled with the Ducks as a top-pair defenseman, and has 14 points (five goals, nine assists), averaging 22:02 TOI in 32 games.

New York Rangers projected lineup​

Artemi Panarin — Mika Zibanejad — Alexis Lafreniere

J.T. Miller — Vincent Trocheck — Conor Sheary

Will Cuylle — Noah Laba — Brett Berard

Jaroslav Chmelar — Sam Carrick — Taylor Raddysh

Vladislav Gavrikov — Braden Schneider

Carson Soucy — Will Borgen

Urho Vaakanainen — Matthew Robertson

Igor Shesterkin

Jonathan Quick

Rangers vs. Ducks: When, where, what time, how to watch​

Who: New York Rangers vs. Anaheim Ducks

When: Monday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. ET

Where: Madison Square Garden

How to watch: MSG

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rangers-ducks-preview-kreider-trouba

 

[New York Rangers]

Ex-Rangers Kreider, Trouba ready for return to ‘amazing building’ with Ducks

Chris Kreider’s 13 seasons with the New York Rangers never involved dealing with which door the visiting team at Madison Square Garden uses to get on the ice. That’s why he needed directions when his new team, the Anaheim Ducks, hit the ice for their morning skate prior to their game against the Blueshirts on Monday night.

“No,” he told the assembled media when asked if he’d ever been in the visitors’ locker room, then nodded when asked if he needed to be shown the door the visitors use to take the ice at the Garden.

Kreider’s 912th NHL game will be the first at MSG as a member of the visiting team. The Rangers traded him to Anaheim in June for forward prospect Carey Terrance and a swap of draft picks.

Chris Kreider, ladies and gentlemen. Wearing orange. pic.twitter.com/B2KFaoPiJs

— Colin Stephenson (@ColinSNewsday) December 15, 2025

He’s not sure how emotional it will be to step on the Garden ice wearing another team’s sweater for the first time.

“I don’t know,” he said. “Trying to go on with no expectations and just get ready to play a hockey game. But it’s a passionate fan base. It’s a place that I’ve spent the majority of my life, so I’m sure it’ll be emotional for me. To what extent, I don’t know. I’m just trying to worry about the here and the now.”

One thing that has helped him adapt to his new surroundings is the presence of three former teammates – forwards Frank Vatrano, center Ryan Strome and defenseman Jacob Trouba. The Rangers traded Trouba to Anaheim last December; he’s also making his first visit to the Garden since the deal.

“It’s made the transition easier,” he said. “Having Jacob there, having Frank, Stromer – that familiarity certainly helps. The entire group’s been great.”

Ex-Rangers Kreider, Trouba ready for return to ‘amazing building’​

Kreider’s 326 goals are third in Rangers history; his 48 playoff goals are first and he’s tied for the franchise record with 116 power-play goals. But the Rangers let him go after he dropped to 22 goals and 30 goals last season while battling injuries and illness.

But Kreider is healthy this year, and his scoring touch has returned. The 34-year-old has 13 goals and 20 points in 28 games for Anaheim, which is second in the Pacific Division and trying to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017-18.

“It’s great to be truly healthy,” he said.

He also paid tribute to the fans who supported him during his 13 seasons in New York.

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

“I think it’s hard to express my appreciation for all the support we had over all those years, over all those runs,” he said. “It’s an amazing building; it’s the most famous building in the world, right? But it’s a building. The fans are what makes it a special place. Just being out there this morning, pregame skating on that ice, it’s cool.

“But it’s an empty building; at the end of the day, it’s the fans that make it what it is. It’s hard to put into words my gratitude and appreciation for the support and the passion over all those years.”

The Rangers undoubtedly will give Kreider a video tribute, and he can expect an ovation from the fans who cheered him on in New York.

So, will he watch the video?

“I don’t know how the angle is from that (visitors) bench; probably. What am I going to do – stare at my shoes,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t know. I’ll let you know after it happens.”

Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

The Rangers kept Kreider in the loop after deciding to trade him. Trouba’s departure wasn’t as amicable, but he said Monday that he preferred to think of the good times with the Blueshirts rather than his departure.

“I didn’t enjoy it in the moment, but it’s just a small piece of what was a very, very memorable and impactful 5 1/2 years for me,” he said. “That’s not the moment I focus on.”

Trouba faced his former team in Anaheim on March 28, when the Ducks rallied for a 5-4 win. But this is his first visit to the arena he called home for five-plus seasons.

“You don’t know exactly how you’re going to feel,” he said of coming back to the Garden. “It was pretty good for me. I went downtown, back by my apartment, last night and walked around. That one got me a little bit. It’ll be fun being back here tonight.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/kreider-trouba-return-to-msg-with-ducks

 

[New York Rangers]

‘A little weird’: Kreider, Trouba honored by Rangers in return to Garden

Chris Kreider left the Madison Square Garden ice high-fiving his teammates after a win Monday night. There was nothing unusual about that — except for the fact that he wasn’t wearing a New York Rangers uniform as he did it.

Kreider and his Anaheim Ducks teammates — including former Rangers Jacob Trouba, Frank Vatrano and Ryan Strome — left the Garden with a solid 4-1 victory. Kreider didn’t hit the score sheet, but Trouba, who was traded to the Ducks last December, started the play that led to the game’s first goal, a shorthanded tally by Jackson Lacombe at 7:18 of the second period.

That came after Kreider was honored for his 13 seasons on Broadway with a video tribute during the first media timeout in the opening period, as well as a standing ovation not only from the sellout crowd of 18,006 but also from his former teammates.

Kreider said playing against the Rangers was “a little weird. It took me a couple of shifts to remember the guys in blue weren’t my teammates.”

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Though Kreider said he didn’t see most of the video tribute because coach Joel Quenneville was talking strategy, he caught the end before taking a lap in front of the Ducks bench, waving his stick and patting his heart to the crowd while trying to control his emotions.

“What I did see was awesome,” he said. “Just really grateful for the experience. It was certainly a warm welcome back. That was incredible. Really, really, really cool moment.

“It’s hard to put into words what the experience was like for 13 years, what that experience was like tonight. I don’t know. It kind of leaves you speechless.”

A few minutes later, it was Trouba’s turn.

Unlike Kreider, the Rangers’ former captain faced his former teammates on March 28 in Anaheim after being dealt to the Ducks just over a year ago. He received his own video tribute and a warm ovation.

“Means a lot to me,” he said of The Garden and the fans who cheered him there, “and this place will always be special.”

After the game, Kreider and Trouba shared the “Bombay Jacket,” Anaheim’s version of The Broadway Hat.

For the first time ever, the Bombay Jacket is being shared!!#FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/KKOq2m5wKJ

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) December 16, 2025

Chris Kreider, Jacob Trouba get huge welcome in return to Garden​

Those teammates were very aware that this was no ordinary game – something that was apparent when all four ex-Rangers took the ice for the opening face-off.

“That was a cool move by coach,” Kreider said. “It’s a fun building to play in, even as an opponent.”

The Ducks were very conscious of wanting to win one for Kreider and Trouba.

“We said before the game that we’ve got to play for these guys,” said Anaheim goalie Lukas Dostal, who made 26 saves and was sharp all night.

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Kreider and the Ducks left MSG with the win after Cutter Gauthier broke a 1-1 tie with a power-play goal 5:51 into the third period, then hit the empty net with 22 seconds left to ice the win. He slapped gloves with his teammates and received the game puck as a souvenir of his first MSG victory as a visiting player after 13 seasons with the Rangers.

“It’s hard to put into words what the experience was like,” he said after the game. “Kind of leaves you speechless, I guess.

“Maybe next time it’ll feel a little more normal. I had a little adrenaline dump in the first period, a little bit of tunnel vision and nerves like my first game here in New York.”

One ex-teammate Kreider didn’t face on the ice was one of his best buddies, center Mika Zibanejad, who was scratched for the game after missing a meeting. Zibanejad was on hand for the game and was seen catching up with his old teammate in the hallway after the game.

The fans in New York welcome back Chris Kreider, who played 13 seasons with the @NYRangers, in his return to the world's most famous arena. pic.twitter.com/hWHVHi4AnK

— NHL (@NHL) December 16, 2025

Kreider’s 326 goals are third in Rangers history; his 48 playoff goals are first and he’s tied for the franchise record with 116 power-play goals. But the Rangers let him go after he dropped to 22 goals and 30 goals last season while battling injuries and illness.

However, Kreider is healthy this year, and his scoring touch has returned. The 34-year-old has 13 goals and 20 points in 29 games for Anaheim, which is second in the Pacific Division and trying to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017-18.

Chris Kreider gets his tribute video and takes a lap to salute the MSG faithful pic.twitter.com/tDR0ukGFIA

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) December 16, 2025

“It’s great to be truly healthy,” he said after the morning skate.

Rangers forward Matt Rempe, who returned to the lineup after missing 24 games with a broken thumb, was happy that his comeback coincided with the return of two former teammates.

“It was real cool,” he said. “Both of those guys were really good mentors to me and awesome teammates. It was great seeing them.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/kreider-trouba-honored-in-return-to-garden