Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

• Highlights: NYR 4, NJD 0 (5:01 video via NHL.com)
• Game Recap: Special teams prowess paved the way to a shutout victory, as the Rangers dominated the scoreboard without scoring a single even strength goal (CBS)
• Larry Brooks reveals that former Ranger Sean Avery has come forward alleging physical abuse by one of his former coaches (NY Post)
• Brett Cyrgalis notes how David Quinn’s decision note to demote Kaapo Kakko to the team’s 4th line in spite of his struggles paid off yesterday (NY Post)
• Colin Stephenson heard from Marc Staal and coach Quinn about the defenseman’s imminent return to the lineup (Newsday)
• Steve Paulus discusses the Blueshirts’ ineptitude with a two-man advantage this season (Blue Line Station)
• Rick Carpiniello believe$ that Jacob Trouba ha$ proven him$elf capable of $houldering a heavy load on New York’$ blue line (The Athletic)/

Around the NHL:

• Former Carolina Hurricanes’ general manager Ron Francis come out and issued a statement in the wake of allegations of his complacency during Bill Peters’ time in Raleigh (TSN)
• Carl Pavlock reports that the Arizona Coyotes acquired defenseman Vili Saarijarvi from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for goaltender Eric Comrie (Five For Howling)
• Adam Gretz saw that an Alexander Ovechkin hat trick against Detroit marked the 15th consecutive season that the Washington Capitals’ forward reached the 20 goal plateau (NBC Sports)
• Chris Johnston goes in-depth on former NHLer Patrik Berglund’s decision to walk away from over $13 million and return to his native Sweden following a short, tumultuous tenure with the Buffalo Sabres (Sportsnet)/