The boxing-out issues continued against Utah. A minute into the game, Utah’s Ian Cole fired a point shot tipped by teammate Barrett Hayton. Igor Shesterkin made the initial stop, but Matias Maccelli got away from K’Andre Miller and buried the rebound.

As New York’s season continues on an upward trend, now 5-1-2 in the New Year, having a healthy Kreider in the lineup provides yet another boost with the Rangers (21-20-3) trying to climb back into the playoff race after a dismal two-month stretch of hockey put them on the outside looking in.