Chris Kreider's introduction into the NHL last spring read like a Hollywood script. His rookie year has been more like a reality television show.
Less than two weeks after leading Boston College to an NCAA title, he scored the game-winning goal in Game 6 of the first-round playoff series against the Senators, and would go on to score five times in a memorable postseason.
Kreider, however, has struggled to replicate that magic this season, managing just a goal and an assist in 11 games. He has been sent down to the Connecticut Whale of the AHL, seen his ice time diminish, suffered from a bone chip in his right ankle and there is a chance the 21-year-old, fresh-faced Bostonian can go back down to the minors.
"It's just as hard as I thought it was going to be," he said Tuesday before the Rangers fell to the Jets, 4-3, their second straight loss. "It's a simple game, it's still hockey, but simple doesn't mean easy. It's very difficult and it requires a ridiculous amount of effort. I'm learning to provide that effort every single night, every single day."
Since returning to the Rangers following a brief stint with the Connecticut Whale, Kreider's production and ice time hasn't increased — he replayed just 4:33 and had a -1 rating Tuesday night — yet there are positive signs. He feels he has improved in his own end and is better at protecting the puck when its on his stick. Rangers coach John Tortorella, who said Kreider "hasn't done anything really good" when he was sent down initially, has seen him getting stronger on the puck and more active on the forecheck.
"The next step is sustaining, coming up with pucks," Tortorella said. "Chris is getting there, but he's still not coming up with pucks. That's the next part. It's all parts of the game we're trying to work on with him."
Given the choice, Kreider would prefer to stay on Broadway, however much playing time he receives. He's learning something new every day from a variety of veterans and feels he is picking up the game slowly but surely.
"You control what you can control," he said. "You want to play within yourself. You get in trouble when you try to do stuff that's not a staple of your game, so I think continuing to move my feet and focusing on that, good things will happen."
"I'm always ready to have a breakout [game]," Kreider added. "Everyone's looking for that next big game where they can make an impact and help the team win. That's the only mentality you have."
zbraziller@nypost.com
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