When it comes to keeping opponents from scoring, Kruger is an ace, but as he showed with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, he can contribute in other ways.
After tying Game 6 against the Boston Bruins late in regulation, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville sent Kruger's line over the boards to hold the Bruins in check. Instead, Kruger corralled the puck and started the play that led to Dave Bolland's Cup-winning goal with 59 seconds left.
When it comes to keeping opponents from scoring, Kruger is an ace, but as he showed with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, he can contribute in other ways.
After tying Game 6 against the Boston Bruins late in regulation, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville sent Kruger's line over the boards to hold the Bruins in check. Instead, Kruger corralled the puck and started the play that led to Dave Bolland's Cup-winning goal with 59 seconds left.
Kruger wasn't always a defensive dynamo. He had 31 points in 38 games for Djurgardens in 2009-10 and was a Rookie of the Year finalist in the Swedish Elite League. He also won a bronze medal with Sweden at the 2010 World Junior Championship, getting six assists in six games.
The Blackhawks selected Kruger in the fifth round (No. 149) in the 2009 NHL Draft and he made the move to the League late in the 2010-11 season, making his debut March 23, 2011, against the Florida Panthers. He had one assist in five Stanley Cup Playoff games that spring.
Kruger got his first NHL point Oct. 8, 2011, against the Dallas Stars, and scored his first NHL goal Oct. 29, 2011, against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was fourth among NHL rookies with 284 faceoff wins. He finished his rookie season with nine goals and 26 points.
Kruger had 13 points in 47 games for Chicago in 2012-13, leading Blackhawks forwards with 2:30 of shorthanded time on ice per game. He had three goals and five points in 23 playoff games to help Chicago win the Stanley Cup in 2013. He had his first NHL playoff goal and multipoint game, scoring the game-winning goal and getting an assist in Game 5 of the first round against the Minnesota Wild.
His reliability was on display again in 2013-14, when Kruger was tied for sixth in the NHL in faceoff win percentage (56.7) and led Chicago forwards with 2:33 of shorthanded ice time per game. He won a silver medal with Sweden at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Kruger's goal in triple overtime ended what was the longest postseason game in franchise history (116:12), Game 2 of the 2015 Western Conference Final against the Anaheim Ducks. He had two goals and four points in 23 playoff games that season as Chicago won the Stanley Cup.
