Bantering Points: 1/1/17

New York ended 2016 on a high note, defeating the Avalanche in Colorado by the score of 6-2. Despite the successful two game road trip, the Rangers still find themselves in the awkward position of being having the 3rd most points in the league, but are still 3rd place in the Metropolitan Division due to Columbus' and Pittsburgh's recent winning ways. Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

• Highlights: NYR 6, COL 2 (4:52 Video via NHL.com)
• Brett Cyrgalis discusses how the players' siblings have gotten an inside look at hockey life thanks to the Rangers' Sibling Road Trip (NY Post)
• Cyrgalis also pointed out how Henrik Lundqvist passed Dominik Hasek, one of Lundqvist's boyhood idols, in wins last night (NY Post)
• Mike Kelly looks back on the Nick Holden trade, and talks to Holden about his surprise about the trade (Newsday)
• Justin Tasch offered his take on the acquisition of Holden, and reflected on his time as a Ranger so far (NY Daily News)
• Drew McCaffrey believes that Holden has finally found his fit in Alain Vigneault's system (Blue Line Station)
• Brandon Cohen reviews how 2016 went for the Rangers (Blue Line Station)
• Game Recap: Chris Kreider's hat trick powers New York past Colorado (CBS)
• Josh Khalfin thinks that the Rangers perceived lack of toughness is not an issue, but instead should be discussed (Blue Seat Blogs)
• Becky from BSB reveals the team's New Year's Resolutions for 2017 (Blue Seat Blogs)
• Postgame Notes: With 2016 officially in the history books, New York will go down as one of three teams to accrue over 50 wins during the calendar year
• Postgame Interviews: J.T. Miller, (1:29) Henrik Lundqvist, (2:23) Chris Kreider, (2:08) and Alain Vigneault (2:13)
• He played 35 games for the Rangers after the lockout, and was acquired in 2006 for the 3rd Round Pick acquired in the Ville Nieminen trade. Yesterday's player in the picture was.....Sandis Ozolinsh (Wikipedia)/

Around the NHL:

• Greg Wyshynski breaks down what's in and what's out after ringing in the new year last night (Puck Daddy)
• The Columbus Blue Jackets prevailed over the Minnesota Wild last night 4-2, extending their own winning streak to fifteen games while ending Minnesota's at twelve (TSN)
• Chris Johnston writes about how today's Centennial Classic between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs is about honoring both the past and present (Sportsnet)
• Jared Clinton lists the top 10 goals of 2016 (The Hockey News)/

Do you know who the Ranger in the picture is?