Chris Kreider hasn't yet let go of the pain of coming two wins short of reaching the Stanley Cup Final, as the feelings from the Rangers' game six loss is still not a week old.
The pain of coming so close to franchise immortality will likely linger for a while.
"So many people reach out to tell you how proud they are of you and your group, but right now, it stings," Kreider said. "It's hard to be proud a couple days after you get bounced. But that sting is important."
But Kreider also believes that pain will soon lead to jubilation. If you want proof to justify that belief, look no further than the team that just bounced New York from the Easter Conference Final.
Three years ago, the Lightning were dealing with a sting of their own. After rolling to an unprecedented 128-point season, Tampa met the seemingly mediocre Blue Jackets in the first round of the 2019 playoffs, and were thoroughly dominated in a stunning four-game sweep.
But the massive upset didn't spark a period of transition. Instead, it awoke a sleeping giant that went on to win two straight Stanley Cups, and they're now on the cusp of a third in a row.
"We were just talking about when Tampa lost four straight to Columbus, and Torts said 'We created a monster,'" Kreider said, referencing the words of his former head coach John Tortorella, who was leading Columbus at the time of the shocking upset. "I think we felt we could have gone the distance, but that sting is what's going to push us over the edge."
Kreider is also confidence that the support of New York City will help the Rangers get back to their improbable finish this season, only next time, get them over the hump.
"I've never felt that kind of energy, even going back to my early years and going to the conference finals and Cup Final," Kreider said. "The city was always behind us when I was a young guy and we were going on those runs, but that was something special. That's not going anywhere. We'll be back."
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch
Listen live to WFAN:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker (just say 'Play W-F-A-N')
