Bantering Points: 12/20/16

The Rangers are back in action after yesterday's off day, as they travel to Pittsburgh and take on the Penguins for the third time this season. The two teams have split the season series so far, with each team laughing the other out of their respective home arenas in the middle of November. Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

• Larry Brooks reports that Rick Nash has suffered another groin injury, and is out indefinitely (NY Post)
• Brooks also believes that New York's recent stretch of low scoring wins is reminiscent of the Rangers teams of season's past (NY Post)
• Brett Cyrgalis discusses how the Rangers' lack of overtime games outside of the previous two could matter later in the season (NY Post)
• Justin Tasch breaks down how a resurgent penalty killing unit has helped propel New York to the top of the Metropolitan Division (NY Daily News)
• Garrett Gartino releases the 4th edition of the Rangers' mid-season report cards, focusing on the team's management and coaching staff (Blue Line Station)
• Tony Griffo delivers an update on New York's forward prospects (Blue Line Station)
• John Williams thinks that the team has reverted back to relying too much on Henrik Lundqvist as of late (Blue Line Station)
• Dave Shapiro points out how Rick Nash has been a man on a mission after failing to meet fan's expectations last season (Blue Seat Blogs)
• Tom Dianora details the adjustments the Rangers have made in order to combat the rash of injuries they've suffered, as well as find a way to win low scoring games (The Hockey Writers)
• He went from the waiver wire to New York's top line, appeared in 132 games as a Ranger, and is one of my all time favorite Rangers. Yesterday's player in the picture was.....Erik Christensen (Youtube)/

Around the NHL:

• Jared Clinton passes along word that former NHL players and coaches Kirk Muller and Craig Berube are on the list of candidates to become the first head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights (The Hockey News)
• Cam Tucker mentioned that last night's Detroit Red Wings-Carolina Hurricanes game was postponed due to unplayable ice conditions at PNC Arena (NBC Sports)
• Greg Wyshynski lists the top 10 images from hockey in 2016 (Puck Daddy)
• Scott Cullen issues another update to his power rankings, where five of the top ten teams in the league come from the Metropolitan Division (TSN)
• Three Stars of the Week: Chicago Blackhawks forward Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, and Minnesota Wild forward Eric Staal have been named the NHL's three stars of the week (Sportsnet)
• Todd Little adds to the insanity of the Florida Panthers season so far, noting that owner Vincent Viola has been nominated for Secretary of the Army by the recently confirmed 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump (Litter Box Cats)

Do you know who the Ranger in the picture is?