Kreider inked for playoffs

The Rangers signed 2009 first-rounder Chris Kreider to an entry-level contract Tuesday, bringing in the 6-3, 217-pound junior left winger who just won his second NCAA Division I title in three seasons with Boston College.

Kreider is expected to be at practice at Greenburgh on Wednesday and is eligible to play in the playoffs. His deal is for three years, but by signing, he has exhausted the first year even without playing.

This benefits the 20-year-old forward, since it brings him closer to his next contract negotiation. The fact that the Rangers are willing to exhaust the first year of his deal could mean they intend to give Kreider a shot.

Kreider, who turns 21 on April 30, led Boston College with 45 points (23 goals, 22 assists) during this national championship season.

COSTLY WORDS

John Tortorella was fined $20,000 for cursing during his rant against the Penguins last Thursday night, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said during an interview on WFAN 660 Tuesday afternoon.

“I think he did it four times,” Bettman said, adding three to the actual total of curses uttered by the Rangers coach during his 50-second rant in Pittsburgh. “He’s a professional. He knows better than that. . . . As emotional as you get, when you’re a head coach in this league, when you’re in a public media session, you shouldn’t be cursing.”

THE POWERS THAT BE

The Rangers spent most of Tuesday’s 11 a.m. practice working on the power play, including a post-practice meeting. The man advantage was vastly improved down the stretch of the regular season, going 8-for-27 in the final six games (29.6%).

That was a much higher clip than the 15.7% the Rangers averaged during the season, which ranked 23rd in the NHL.