Kreider's 3rd-period hat trick lifts Rangers into Eastern Conference Final with win over Hurricanes

The New York Rangers went from cruising through the NHL playoffs with an unbeaten record to suddenly struggling to close out a second-round series despite having a huge lead. Instead, Chris Kreider took over to ensure the Presidents' Trophy winners finally closed out the Carolina Hurricanes and earned their spot in the Eastern Conference Final. Kreider had a third-period hat trick to help the Rangers erase a two-goal deficit and beat the Hurricanes 5-3 in Game 6 on Thursday night, a stunning reversal after their postseason momentum had gone decidedly in the wrong direction.