In his second game back from an upper-body injury, Chris Kreider seems to have captured his usual role back with the New York Rangers. When Kreider returned to the lineup after missing four games, Peter Laviolette stuck the veteran forward on the second power play unit,

The New York Rangers are getting one of its leaders back. On Tuesday, the team activated forward Chris Kreider from injured reserve. The 33-year-old was reportedly suffering an upper-body injury.

NHL insider Larry Brooks isn't a fan of how the New York Rangers have handled Chris Kreider's status.  In what could've been taking Kreider out of the lineup due to a back injury, the team classified it as a "healthy scratch.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Artemi Panarin scored twice, Chris Kreider got the go-ahead goal with 9:38 left and the New York Rangers rallied for a 5-3 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday night.

Artemi Panarin had two goals, including an empty-netter, as the Rangers (4-0-2) extended their point streak to six games.

On the positive side, Igor Skesterkin participated in the morning skate ahead of a home game against the Dallas Stars at Madison Square Garden. At least for the moment, Shesterkin remains on injured reserve with an upper-body issue. He is eligible to come off IR if healthy enough to dress Tuesday.

But coach Peter Laviolette wasn't ready or willing to confirm if either player would be in the lineup on Tuesday night.

Chris Kreider has been activated from injured reserve according to the NHL media site as he gears up to return on Tuesday night against the Colorado Avalanche This comes after Kreider missed the past four games with an upper-body injury.

The Rangers have placed veteran Chris Kreider on Injured Reserve, and could call up towering forward Matt Rempe in his place.

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

Coach Peter Laviolette has changed the team’s defensive alignment, returning to the 1-3-1 that served the team well last season. That said, no structure works without application, and after six weeks spent moping about the loss of locker room leaders Barclay Goodrow and Jacob Trouba, the team seems to have rediscovered their verve.