Bantering Points: 3/1/17

In a game against one of the league's Stanley Cup Contenders, the Rangers proved they don't belong in the conversation. Despite being down two of their top nine forwards, the Washington Capitals came into Madison Square Garden and handled the Rangers with ease, earning a 4-1 victory in Kevin Shattenkirk's Capitals debut. For now, all the Rangers can do is put this game behind them and get ready for the Boston Bruins on Thursday night. Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

• Highlights: WSH 4, NYR 1 (4:12 Video via NHL.com)
• Game Recap: Marcus Johansson's two goal night helped make New York an afterthought for Kevin Shattenkirk in a 4-1 Capitals' victory (CBS)
• Brett Cyrgalis dives into how and why the Rangers acquired Brendan Smith from the Detroit Red Wings yesterday afternoon (NY Post)
• Larry Brooks believes that Jeff Gorton has more work to do before today's 3:00 PM trade deadline (NY Post)
• Jim Cerny reminisces on some of the Rangers' past trade deadline acquisitions (The Hockey Writers)
• Scott Cullen breaks down why the Brendan Smith trade is a good one for New York (TSN)
• Scott Charles offers his thoughts on the Capitals- 4-1 trouncing over the Rangers (Blueshirt Bulletin)
• Dave Shapiro expresses his opinion on the Brendan Smith trade (Blue Seat Blogs)
• John Williams ponders what Brandon Pirri's value on the rental market could be (Blue Line Station)
• Brandon Cohen delivers his take on the Rangers' acquisition of Brendan Smith (Blue Line Station)
• Garrett Gartino hands out report cards for New York's defenseman (Blue Line Station)
• Amanda Borges chatted with the newest New York Ranger, as she caught up with Brendan Smith after he arrived at the Garden (2:28 Video via Official Team Site)
• Postgame Notes: There weren't any audible boos as Kevin Shattenkirk hit the ice as a Washington Capital, so at least we've got that going for us (Official Team Site)
• Postgame Interviews: Alain Vigneault,(3:23) Ryan McDonagh,(1:53) and Derek Stepan (1:09) (Official Team Site)/

Around the NHL:

• Jen Neale reports that John Tortorella was slightly upset after a questionable call in overtime that led to the Columbus Blue Jackets' 1-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens (Puck Daddy)
• Sean McIndoe lists eight difficult questions NHL general managers have to ask themselves as they approach the trade deadline (Sportsnet)
• Jake Sundstrom passed along news of the Jannik Hansen/Nikolay Goldobin trade to Sharks fans, and they reacted accordingly (Fear The Fin)
• The Montreal Canadiens were also busy yesterday, making two moves to acquire forward Steve Ott from the Detroit Red Wings for a 2018 6th Round Pick, and to ship forward David Desharnais to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for defenseman Brandon Davidson (Habs Eyes On The Prize)
• Blake Schuster relays word that the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars teamed up for another intra-divisional trade, sending defenseman Johnny Oduya back to Chicago in exchange for prospect Mark McNeill and a 4th Round Pick (Second City Hockey)/