Bantering Points: 4/11/17

With only one more day before the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin, it's crunch time for Alain Vigneault as he mulls over lineup decisions, defense combinations, and starting goaltenders before the puck drops at the Bell Centre tomorrow night. Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

• Larry Brooks thinks that unless Henrik Lundqvist can return to vintage form, the Rangers don't have a chance of winning the series (NY Post)
• Brett Cyrgalis points out how animosity from past playoff series will be hanging over the playoff series throughout its entirety (NY Post)
• Steve Zipay relays word from Chris Kreider about how he has put his collision with Canadiens goaltender Carey Price behind him, and is focused on the present (Newsday)
• Justin Tasch hears from Alain Vigneault about how his relationship with Claude Julien could affect the series (NY Daily News)
• Josh Boulton writes a guide to the Montreal Canadiens for Rangers fans (The Hockey Writers)
• Mike Murphy speculates whether or not Kevin Klein is playing in his final games as a New York Ranger (Fanrag)
• Dave Shapiro dives into the special teams units that New York and Montreal will battle each other with (Blue Seat Blogs)
• Alexandra Russo names five keys to the Rangers pulling off the upset and advancing to the Atlantic Division Finals (Blue Line Station)
• John Williams previews the goaltending matchups in the series (Blue Line Station)
• Amanda Borges went one-on-one with Martin St. Louis as they reminisced on the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals (Official Team Site)
• Post Practice Interviews: Alain Vigneault,(9:03) Dan Girardi,(2:09) Ryan McDonagh,(3:04) Derek Stepan,(3:48) Marc Staal,(1:43) Chris Kreider,(2:43) and Henrik Lundqvist,(2:53) (Official Team Site)/

Around the NHL:

• Luke Fox rounds up all the organizational changes yesterday, including the firing of Willie Desjardins in Vancouver, and Darryl Sutter in Los Angeles (Sportsnet)
• Greg Wyshynski ranks the eight first round playoff series (Puck Daddy)
• In TSN's latest mock draft, Brandon Wheat Kings forward Nolan Patrick went first overall to the Colorado Avalanche (TSN)
• Jared Clinton examines what the playoffs would have looked like if the NHL used a three point system this season (The Hockey News)
• Due to Leon Draisaitl's two point performance in the season finale, Buffao Sabres forward Jack Eichel lost out on a $2 Million bonus for finishing in the top 10 in points per game. Ouch (NBC Sports)/