NHL Playoffs 2012: How Chris Kreider Responds in Game 5 Will Be Telling

After watching Game 4 between the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals, one of the first things you'll note from the experience is that rookie sensation Chris Kreider had his first rough game in the NHL.

Kreider was responsible for a few giveaways, including one that directly lead to a goal by Alex Ovechkin. For his blunders, Kreider was benched by coach John Tortorella.

It's not an easy situation for Chris Kreider to be in.

This time last month, Kreider and his Boston College Eagles were putting the finishing touches on their second-straight NCAA hockey championship. Fast forward to May 7—the 21-year-old Kreider is entrenched in the semifinal-round in the NHL playoffs, is being asked to play as a top-six forward and provide offense while doing so.

Not many players have the talent to make that jump. But, both Kreider and the Rangers organization feel that he can.

Here's Tortorella talking to Tim Bontemps of the New York Post regarding Kreider:

"

For all of our kids, there’s gonna be bumps in the road...His [Kreider's] are more magnified because it’s in the middle of the playoffs, but I have full confidence that he’s gonna be able to handle that, learn from a couple mistakes and be better for it.

He’s got a good head on his shoulders.

"

After receiving just 7:34 of ice time in Game 4 and finishing minus-two, Kreider will be given the chance early in Game 5 to show whether he learned from his mistakes and if he is ready to play smart hockey, all while providing offense.

Given the maturity shown thus far, Kreider is more than capable of doing it.

Via Tim Bontemps of the New York Post:

"

Anytime you’re coming into a locker room you have to earn the respect of the guys who are already there. They’ve worked hard to get to this point, and they’ve accomplished a whole lot.

You just want to work hard and try to contribute.

"

If Chris Kreider can continue showing his maturity and skill by exonerating himself for Game 4 with a solid effort in tonight's Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers may just have a star on their hands. A glimpse of that was seen in Kreider's Game 1 performance, in which he won the contest by his third-period effort alone.

However, if he allows the immense pressure of the playoffs to collapse in on him and fails to provide what the coaching staff believes he can, Kreider's road to stardom becomes laced with obstacles and doubt. 

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