Bantering Points: 3/29/17

Despite a losing effort in San Jose earlier this morning, the New York Rangers punched their ticket to the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, as they came back from a 3-2 3rd period deficit to push the game to overtime and earn one point. With that goal out of the way, New York will have the final six games of the season to put it all together and get ready to mount a run for the Stanley Cup. Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

• Highlights: SJ 5, NYR 4 (4:21 Video via NHL.com)
• Game Recap: Both teams overcame third period deficits at one point or another and battled back to clinch their spot in the playoffs (CBS)
• Larry Brooks discusses how despite earning a spot in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, last night's Rangers' squad didn't look or sound the part (NY Post)
• Brooks also breaks news that the team is in the running to land Hobey Baker finalist Mike Vecchione out of Union College (NY Post)
• Steve Zipay sees that the Blueshirts' coaching staff is look to expand Brady Skjei's all-around game (Newsday)
• Justin Tasch reports that Rick Nash was awarded the John Halligan Good Guy Award (controversially not named the Dan Boyle Award) for cooperation with the media (NY Daily News)
• Tom Dianora highlights how Brady Skjei has had a rookie season worth remembering (The Hockey Writers)
• Scott Charles offers his thoughts on this morning's 5-4 loss from the SAP Center (Blueshirt Bulletin)
• Jess Rubenstein delivers another prospect update, with bits on Sean Day, Gabriel Fontaine, and more (Blueshirt Bulletin)
• Dave Shapiro argues Alain Vigneault's lineups will continue bamboozle Rangers fans for the time being (Blue Seat Blogs)
• George Ruggiero points out Jesper Fast's as the team's mos underappreciated player (Blue Line Station)
• Karly Redpath breaks down what Chris Kreider reaching the fifty point plateau means going forward (Blue Line Station)
• Postgame Notes: New York extended their playoff appearance streak to seven seasons in a row, and eleven of the last twelve since the lockout (Official Team Site)
• Postgame Interviews: Alain Vigneault,(2:14) Henrik Lundqvist,(3:19) Ryan McDonagh,(1:46) and J.T. Miller (1:34) (Official Team Site)/

Around the NHL:

• Elliotte Friedman authors another edition of 30 Thoughts (Sportsnet)
• Rick Westhead relays word from an NHL doctor who slammed the league on their "situational ethics" regarding concussions and player safety (TSN)
• Jen Neale saw that Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Reinhart joined Adam Clendening in the exclusive club of dressing for a game and not receiving any shifts after breaking a team rule (Puck Daddy)
• Ken Campbell gives his advice on what the NHL needs to do to succeed in Las Vegas (The Hockey News)
• James O'Brien takes note of the fact that three other teams clinched playoff berths last night, as the San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers, and Anaheim Ducks all nailed down playoff spots, as well as watching the Detroit Red Wings' infamous playoff streak come to an end (NBC Sports)/