NEWARK, NJ – New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider was a healthy scratch for the first time this season on Monday against the New Jersey Devils.

The Rangers lost their fourth straight home game 3-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday and have been in freefall since their win in Vancouver on Nov. 19. New York has lost 12 of its last 16 games under Kreider and his longtime linemate Mika Zibanejad has had a particularly tough time.

Forward Jonny Brodzinski was added to the lineup against New Jersey in Kreider’s place.

The 33-year-old Kreider has 11 goals and one assist in 30 games this season. The left wing missed three games in late November with an upper-body injury.

Kreider scored a career-best 52 goals in 2021-22 and has been a consistent performer for the Rangers since his playoff debut in 2012. Last season he scored 39 goals and 75 points. Kreider was selected in the first round of the 2009 draft by New York (19th overall) and has played in 845 career games and 123 more in the playoffs.

Kreider is third all-time on the franchise list with 315 goals, behind Rod Gilbert (406) and Jean Ratelle (336). Kreider has also scored 114 career power play goals, the second most in team history.

His seven-year, $45.5 million contract has two more seasons beyond the current season. The contract expires after the 2026/27 season.