Happy birthday to Michael Strahan, Ken Griffey Jr, Ben Bishop, and me! Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

• Highlights: NYR 4, WSH 1 (5:00 video via NHL.com)
• Game Recap: Multi-point nights from Artemiy Panarin, Kaapo Kakko, and Pavel Buchnevich propelled the Blueshirts past the league leading Capitals (CBS)
• Larry Brooks hears that Ryan Strome is expected to maintain his lineup spot upon Mika Zibanejad’s return (NY Post)
• Colin Stephenson sees that Chris Kreider has become an ideal fit for the Rangers’ second line duo of Filip Chytil and Pavel Buchnevich (Newsday)
• Stephenson also notes that Igor Shesterkin is flourishing in AHL Hartford as he awaits his opportunity on Broadway (Newsday)
• Daniel Blanda juxtaposes Kaapo Kakko’s rookie season with a handful of other recent top draft picks (Blue Line Station)
• Steve Paulus ponders if Panarin will be able to overcome the Bobby Holik/Chris Drury/Wade Redden curse (Blue Line Station)
• Jeb Biggart wonders what the next step in the Lias Andersson saga will be (The Hockey Writers)
• Frank Curto relays word that Jacob Trouba and Brady Skjei are set to appear on MSG Networks tomorrow night as they sat down for a potato chip tasting test (Elite Sports NY)
• $hayna Goldman offer$ her takeaway$ from New York’$ $pecial team$ unit$ $o far (The Athletic)
• Bryce Grundy recaps the Hartford Wofpack’s 3-1 defeat against the Syracuse Crunch (Official Team Site)/

Around the NHL:

• The Toronto Maple Leafs have relieved Mike Babcock of his head coaching duties, and promoted Sheldon Keefe from AHL Toronto to replace him (Pension Plan Puppets)
• James O’Brien argues that in spite of a slow start to the season, the Calgary Flames can’t afford to sell low on forward Johnny Gaudreau (NBC Sports)
• Pierre LeBrun relays word that the NHLPA has filed a grievance on behalf of Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien in response to his team-issued suspension (TSN)
• Elliotte Friedman authors another edition of 31 Thoughts (Sportsnet)
• Ian Oland reports that the St. Louis Blues have signed forward Troy Brouwer to a one year, two-way, $750,000 contract (Russian Machine Never Breaks)/