Why Rangers’ Chris Kreider could get first 4 Nations Face-Off opportunity

Chris Kreider’s been the good soldier for the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off. The New York Rangers veteran forward hasn’t played in a game yet, but is a solid teammate supporting Team USA, which won its first two, including 3-1 against Canada at Bell Centre on Saturday night.

But his opportunity to put on the U.S. sweater in this international best-on-best tournament might be right around the corner.

United States coach Mike Sullivan had already left the door open to insert Kreider into the lineup Monday against Sweden. Since then, the U.S. clinched a berth in the 4 Nations championship game, which will take place Thursday, and forward Matthew Tkachuk sustained a lower-body injury Saturday.

If there’s any question about Tkachuk’s health, Sullivan can easily pivot to replacing him Monday with Kreider. Sure, Tkachuk is one of the best players on the roster and an emotional leader for Team USA, but the result Monday doesn’t matter. A healthier Tkachuk is more valuable in the championship game than against Sweden.

Tkachuk, who scored two goals in a 6-1 win against Finland on Thursday and then set an edgy tone with a fight against Brandon Hagel two seconds into the win vs. Canada, departed the game Saturday in the third period.

Speaking to the media postgame, Tkachuk downplayed the injury.

“No, no concern about the injury,” he said.

Sullivan played it close to the vest when pressed on the injury.

“Matthew is out with a lower-body injury right now,” Sullivan said. “He’s being evaluated by our doctors. That’s all I can offer you. We’ll make decisions that we think is best for Matthew and we think is best for our team. Right now I don’t have a lot of information to go on so it’s hard for me to give you more.”

Really, it seems like the perfect chance to get Kreider in a game. Let Tkachuk rest, take a few days before the championship game. Perhaps Kreider’s Rangers teammate J.T. Miller moves up to grab more minutes with Tkachuk out. Or Kyle Connor or Dylan Larkin moves up. Either way, Kreider slips into a bottom-6 role.

Chris Kreider could join Rangers teammates Monday when Team USA plays Sweden at 4 Nations

Sullivan has a relationship with Kreider, so he’s sensitive to the fact that the 33-year-old has been a healthy scratch to start this tournament. He was an assistant under John Tortorella when Kreider burst on to the scene during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, then during his rookie campaign the following season. Plus, he’s coached against Kreider for years with New York’s division rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

So, there’s a respect Sullivan has for Kreider.

“What I will tell you is both Chris and [scratched Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson] have been great,” Sullivan stated. “They’re great teammates, they’re great people, they know it’s an honor to be part of this whole experience. They’re message to me was, ‘We’re ready when you ask us.’”

Kreider helped the United States win the gold medal at the 2010 World Junior Championship and a bronze at the 2011 WJC. He also played in several World Championships for Team USA. At this stage of his career, it’d be a great opportunity for Kreider to represent his country in game action again.

And to do so in Boston on Monday would be fitting. The Boxford, Massachusetts, native starred for three seasons at Boston College before turning pro with the Rangers.

If he draws into the lineup, Kreider would join Rangers teammates Adam Fox, Vincent Trocheck and Miller, who each have played in the first two games for Team USA. And he could play against BFF Mika Zibanejad, who scored for Sweden in their 4-3 overtime loss to Finland on Saturday.

“Going up against [Zibanejad], I think he knows all of my tricks,” Kreider said with a laugh last week. “Unfortunately, I know his bag of tricks is a lot deeper than mine.”

The United States clinched a spot in the Final with six points. Canada, Sweden and Finland each have two heading into the final prelim games Monday.