Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

• Highlights: WSH 5, NYR 2 (5:05 video via NHL.com)
• Stephen Whyno recaps the Blueshirts’ 5-2 loss at the Capital One Center (NY Daily News)
• Larry Brooks makes the argument for Kaapo Kakko playing a bigger role moving forward (NY Post)
• Brett Cyrgalis saw that en route to his third consecutive loss, David Quinn pressed the panic button in the middle of last night’s contest (NY Post)
• Colin Stephenson heard that Quinn wasn’t happy with the effort and compete levels his players showed against Washington (Newsday)
• James O’Brien noticed that Max Scherzer, a starting pitcher for MLB’s National League champion Washington Nationals, dropped a ceremonial baseball ahead of last night’s game (NBC Sports)
• Steve Paulus argues that the time to split up Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad has arrived (Blue Line Station)
• Rick Carpineillo ponder$ Chri$ Kreider’$ future on Broadway (The Athletic)
• Bryce Grundy recapped the Hartford Wolf Pack’s 1-0 victory over the Springfield Thunderbirds (Official Team Site)/

Around the NHL:

• Joey Alfieri questions how the Dallas Stars have fallen so far, so fast (NBC Sports)
• John Fischer relays word that the New Jersey Devils agreed to a seven year, $50.75 million contract with forward Nico Hischier (All About The Jersey)
• Iain MacIntyre examines how the bond formed between the Hughes brother, Quinn of the Vancouver Canucks and Jack of the New Jersey Devils, has helped them get to where they are (Sportsnet)/