Chris Kreider paying it forward with Rangers power play mentorship

WASHINGTON — This was when Chris Kreider was a pup in this league and surrounded by veteran teammates such as Martin St. Louis.

“I remember how guys would follow Marty around the ice and try to do the things he would do,” Kreider told The Post before scoring a goal in the Blueshirts’ 5-3 defeat to the Capitals on Tuesday. “I didn’t necessarily follow him around because I knew I would never be able to do some of things he did every shift, but just that approach always stuck with me.

“Now it’s kind of my turn if I can be of any value. It’s kind of a responsibility, right?”

Kreider has prime value as a power-play net-front mentor.

He’s been spending the final minutes of practices and game-day skates monitoring Kaapo Kakko, who takes that spot on the second power-play unit, on the subtleties of the position. Will Cuylle slides in at times.

“We’re talking about one of the best in the game to be a net-front presence, to get his stick on pucks for tips and rebounds, screens, when to stay off the goalie when to get on the goalie,” head coach Peter Laviolette said. “Chris is really good.