There was something vintage about this, about the way Chris Kreider faded toward the high slot after the Rangers won a faceoff midway through the third period Thursday and snapped a shot toward the top corner,

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

The boxing-out issues continued against Utah. A minute into the game, Utah’s Ian Cole fired a point shot tipped by teammate Barrett Hayton. Igor Shesterkin made the initial stop, but Matias Maccelli got away from K’Andre Miller and buried the rebound.