Bantering Points: 2/21/17

The New York Rangers will host the Claude Julien and his Montreal Canadiens, as the two teams square off for the first time in the post-Michel Therrien era. In what could be a first round playoff preview, look for the Rangers to come out flying as they look to prove their mettle against a top NHL team for the second game in a row. Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

• Steve Zipay takes a look at the Montreal Canadiens, and identifies them as a possible playoff opponent (Newsday)
• Game Preview: Claude Julien looks to earn his first win as Montreal's head coach in over a decade in an Original Six matchup (CBS)
• Jess Rubenstein offers a prospect update, with bits on Tim Gettinger, Ty Ronning, and more (Blueshirt Bulletin)
• Brandon Cohen argues that the time has come for New York to trade Rick Nash (Blue Line Station)
• Justin Starr ranks the top five backup goaltenders in franchise history (Blue Line Station)
• Dan Miceli points out how Rick Nash's lack of recent goal scoring hasn't been an issue for the Rangers (Blue Line Station)
• Anthony Scultore lists the team's "with-or-without you's" for individual players (Full Tilt NYR)
• Former Ranger Steve Valiquette debunks some of hockey's most notorious cliches (MSG Networks)/

Around the NHL:

• In what happens to be one of my favorite hockey subjects, the NHL compiled a gallery of photos of players in some of their oddest uniforms (NHL.com)
• The THN crew discusses who should be named the first head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights (The Hockey News)
• Eric Francis talks about how the Calgary Flames' additions of Michael Stone and Matt Bartkowski to shore up their defense corps should be enough to gear up for a playoff run (Sportsnet)
• Greg Wyshynski reflects on the 2017 edition of Hockey In America Day (Puck Daddy)/

Do you know who the Ranger in the picture is?