Bantering Points: 2/22/17
News and notes for Wednesday, February 22nd, 2017
In what could turn out to be the prologue to a 2017 First Round Playoff matchup, the Montreal Canadiens got the better of the Rangers last night, coming into New York and earning two points via a 3-2 shootout victory. While the game was a back and forth affair, it didn't do much to convince the Blueshirt faithful that Montreal would be an "easy" draw in the first round. Now, it's on to the Toronto Maple Leafs tomorrow night. Here are today's news and links:
Rangers News:
- Highlights: MTL 3, NYR 2 (4:29 Video via NHL.com)
- Brett Cyrgalis recaps last night's shootout loss to Claude Julien and the Canadiens (NY Post)
- Justin Tasch hears from Mika Zibanejad about how he can use his strong effort against the Washington Capitals as a stepping stone forward (NY Daily News)
- Steve Zipay notes that with the trade deadline looming, Matt Puempel, Adam Clendening, and Brandon Pirri can't do anything but wait it out (Newsday)
- Scott Charles offers his thoughts on yesterday's 3-2 loss at Madison Square Garden (Blueshirt Bulletin)
- Scott Hartnett joined the Blue Seat Blogs-Cast as they previewed how the Rangers may approach the trade deadline (Blue Seat Blogs)
- Dave Shapiro discusses how Alain Vigneault has been reluctant to give Dan Girardi the rest he needs in order to play at his highest level possible (Blue Seat Blogs)
- Tom Dianora believes that New York's solution to their defense issue is staring them in the face, and they're choosing to ignore it (The Hockey Writers)
- Dan Carrozzi questions whether or not Brady Skjei has managed to replace the offense provided by former Ranger Keith Yandle (Blue Line Station)
- Drew McCaffrey sees Mika Zibanejad as the answer to the Rangers' power play struggles (Blue Line Station)
- Postgame Notes: Marc Staal moved into 15th on the franchise's all-time games played list, as he took to the ice for the 667th time in his NHL career (Official Team Site)
- Postgame Interviews: Alain Vigneault,(2:51) Derek Stepan,(1:24) Henrik Lundqvist,(2:20) and J.T. Miller (0:52)
Around the NHL:
- Josh Cooper reports despite rumors that they might be players in the market, the Vegas Golden Knights will not be active in the trade market at the deadline (Puck Daddy)
- Sean McIndoe creates an All-Trade Deadline team (Sportsnet)
- Dimitri Filipovic writes a guide for NHL general managers as they approach the 2017 deadline (Sportsnet)
- Craig Button lists the best players who are currently playing in another league (TSN)/