New York Rangers fire Coach John Tortorella

NEW YORK, May 29 (UPI) -- The New York Rangers announced Wednesday they have fired John Tortorella as head coach, four days after Boston eliminated the Rangers in the playoffs.

Tortorella, 54, spent five full seasons behind the Rangers' bench, guiding the team to a 171-118-1-29 record and four playoff appearances. The Rangers went 26-18-4 during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season and finished sixth in the Eastern Conference.

The fourth-winningest coach in Rangers history, Tortorella first coached the team in 2000, when he took over after John Muckler was fired and with four games remaining in the season. His record for the brief stint was 0-3-1.

His playoff record with the Rangers was 19-25.

Tortorella coached Tampa Bay for seven seasons, guiding the Lightning to the 2004 Stanley Cup title. His overall coaching record is 410-330-37-67.