All-Star Nash, Sekera Rumors, NYR Dominant on the Road, Metropolitan Division Race Heating Up

I was called in to pinch hit for the links round-up today for a very busy Nick. There hasn't been too much going on in the world of Rangers hockey since the Blueshirts swept all three California teams in four days, but there are a few discussion points to touch on. Let's jump right into our Bantering Points and catch up with what is going on in the world of Rangers hockey.

• Joe shares his thoughts on the Rangers road sweep of the West, including the defeat of all three California hockey clubs. It is one thing to put a bunch of wins together on home ice, but to play the way the Rangers have been playing on the road is amazing. [Blueshirt Banter]
• Larry Brooks is convinced that Rick Nash deserves to win the MVP, although he does seem genuinely mystified by the fact that Henrik Lundqivst is not an All-Star this season. [NY Post] [NY Post]

"You might as well call it the NHL Some-Stars Game in Columbus on Jan. 25, for Henrik Lundqvist will not be there." -Brooks

Take that rule about each team getting to send one All-Star representative to the game that directly conflicts with the fans being allowed to vote in their top six players (one for each position). Are you trying to tell me that some deserving players don't get to go to the meaningless game while many undeserving players do? Shameful. You know better than that, Roberto.

• Speaking of All-Stars, here is a list of all of those players that received that honor this season. You'll notice that Zemgus Girgensons was voted in by the fans, and by "the fans" I of course mean the sovereign nation of Latvia. Where were you on voting Mats Zuccarello in, Norway? You dropped the ball. I'm very upset with you. [NHL.com]
  
• The rumors connecting the Rangers to Andrej Sekera persist. Dave from Blue Seat Blogs touched on some of them a few days back. Very much worth a read. What will Sekera cost the Rangers? [Blue Seat Blogs]
• The battle for top team in the Metropolitan Division was once a two horse race between the Islanders and Penguins. However, the Rangers and Capitals recent surges have made it a four team race with the Rangers just four points behind the banged up Penguins with two games in hand. [NHL.com]
• In the Division: Sergei Bobrovsky signs a 4-year contract extension to stay in Columbus. [The Cannon]
• Look, I know this was an empty net goal, but it is the most impressive empty-netter I have seen in a long time. The man simply won't be denied. Nash is now tied with Dallas' Tyler Seguin for the league lead in goals with 26. Nash has two games in hand.
  

Teemu.

Those are your links, notes, and bantering points for the day. Hope that you guys had a great weekend.

Let's go Rangers.