Kreider out indefinitely for Rangers

Forward Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers is out indefinitely because of a blood clot in his right arm.

Kreider left the Rangers' 1-0 shootout victory against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday with 22 seconds remaining in the first period because of what coach Alain Vigneault said was an upper-body injury. He played seven shifts totaling 5:04 of ice time and had two shots on goal.

Vigneault said Thursday that Kreider felt swelling in his arm before the game but was cleared to play after being examined by doctors. After the first period the swelling had increased and Kreider was sent to the hospital, where testing discovered the blood clot.

Kreider is tied for fourth on the Rangers in scoring with 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 37 games.

The Rangers recalled forward Vinni Lettieri from Hartford of the American Hockey League. Lettieri, 22, has 21 points (12 goals, nine assists) in 31 games.

The Rangers play at the Detroit Red Wings on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET; FS-D, MSG, NHL.TV) and then play the Buffalo Sabres in the 2018 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Citi Field in New York on Monday (1 p.m. ET; NBC, SN, TVA Sports, NHL.TV).

Kreider fined for hitting opponent with helmet

NEW YORK - New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for hitting Dallas Stars forward Cody Eakin with his helmet during a fight during NHL Game No. 663 in New York on Tuesday, Jan. 17, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 1:52 of the second period.

The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

- NHL.

Rangers, Kreider agree to terms

NEW YORK -- The New York Rangers on Friday announced that they have resigned forward Chris Kreider to a new contract.

The CBC is reporting that the contract is worth $18.5 million over four years, but the Rangers did not disclose the terms of the deal.

Kreider, 25, had 43 points (21 goals, 22 assists) in 79 games last season. The 21 goals matched his NHL career high from the 2014-15 season. He also had two goals in five Stanley Cup Playoff games.

In four seasons with the Rangers, Kreider has 129 points (61 goals, 68 assists) and 224 penalty minutes in 248 regular-season games. He has 20 goals and 13 assists in 65 playoff games.

INJURY NOTEBOOK: Kreider returns for Rangers, but Gaborik may have leg injury

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

Early in the first period between the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings on Friday, Rangers forward Chris Kreider was seen heading to the team's locker room holding his jaw, but he returned for the Rangers later in the period.

But even later in the period, Kings forward Marian Gaborik was injured in a knee-on-knee collision that caused him to limp off the ice while not putting pressure on his left leg.

We will have all updates on Gaborik's condition when they are available.