Bantering Points: 11/20/16

For the first time in nearly two weeks, the Rangers will host a game at Madison Square Garden tonight, as the Florida Panthers are rolling into town. There's plenty of familiar faces on Florida's roster, as former Rangers players and prospects Dylan McIlrath, Keith Yandle, Jonathan Marchessa

Rangers News:

  • Peter Botte reports that Pavel Buchnevich may be suffering from more than a case of back spasms, and his injury is most likely worse than the team originally thought (NY Daily News)
  • Brett Cyrgalis pointed out the fact that Henrik Lundqvist will use tonight's game as an opportunity to bounce back from his sub-par effort against Columbus Friday night (NY Post)
  • Steve Zipay also noted that Buchnevich will remain out of the lineup, while also providing bits on J.T. Miller and Henrik Lundqvist (Newsday)
  • Alexandra Russo released the second part of her series on why New York is for real (Blue Line Station)
  • Karly Redpath thinks that the Rangers' defense has played a vital role in their offensive success (Blue Line Station)
  • Timothy Haggerty doesn't see any reason for Rangers fans to worry about their team, despite their underwhelming effort against the Blue Jackets two nights ago (Blue Line Station)
  • Pat from BSB ponders the same thing the entire hockey world has thought about: Are the Rangers a legitimate contender? (Blue Seat Blogs)
  • Tom Urtz Jr. shows how Brandon Pirri has exceeded expectations through the early portion of the season (Blueshirt Bulletin)
  • Post-Practice Interviews: Derek Stepan, (2:44) Alain Vigneault (5:09) and Josh Jooris (0:30)/

Around the NHL

  • Jared Clinton takes note of the plight of Andrew Hammond, who was waived yesterday after refusing a conditioning assignment in the AHL (The Hockey News)
  • Ezra Amacher passes on word of a scary incident from last night's Moose-Roadrunners game, as Tuscon captain Craig Cunningham collapsed on the ice and was rushed to a local hospital. Our thoughts and prayers are with Cunningham and his loved ones as we wish him a speedy recovery (Arizona Daily Star)
  • NHL players continue the debate of whether extending the current Collective Bargaining Agreement is worth the trade off of Olympic participation (Sportsnet)
  • Greg Wyshynski suggests five ways to make the shootout more tolerable for fans and players alike (2:58 Video via Puck Daddy)/

Does the picture give you a case of the sads?

Yes57