Bantering Points: 3/17/17

After three days off, the Rangers are finally back in action tonight, as they get ready to take on the Florida Panthers for the final time this season. Could this be the last time Jaromir Jagr comes into Madison Square Garden before saying goodbye to the game hockey? Maybe, but knowing Jagr, probably not. Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

• Larry Brooks argues that Alain Vigneault is making a mistake by allowing Pavel Bucnevich to twiddle his thumbs in the press box (NY Post)
• Brett Cyrgalis hears that Henrik Lundqvist could be back in New York's lineup sooner than the 2-3 week timetable he was originally on schedule for (NY Post)
• Sean Hartnett writes that Michael Grabner has become one of the best bang-for-your-buck players in the NHL this season (CBS)
• Game Preview: The Rangers will look to solve their woes on home ice against a desperate Florida Panthers squad tonight (CBS)
• Ryan Dixon ponders if too many people are underestimating New York as a playoff threat (Sportsnet)
• Donovan Burns dives into how Alain Vigneault's one major weak spot has reared it's ugly head once again (The Hockey Writers)
• Justin Rutherford questions whether each team's list of protected players should be made public in the upcoming expansion draft (Blue Seat Blogs)
• Brandon Cohen examines Michael Grabner's value as the expansion draft looms (Blue Line Station)
• Garrett Gartino names five players who could join the Rangers before the 2017-18 season begins (Blue Line Station)
• Amanda Borges went one-on-one with J.T. Miller (3:34 Video via Official Team Site)
• Post Practice Interviews: Antti Raanta,(1:35) Ryan McDonagh,(1:12) Dan Girardi,(0:47) Mika Zibanejad,(1:29) Jesper Fast,(1:03) and Alain Vigneault (9:18) (Official Team Site)/

Around the NHL:

• Jonathan Willis offers a thought provoking take on how Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson has changed his game for the better (Sportsnet)
• Kyle Cantlon relays word from Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine that the winter storms in his native land of Finland make Winter Storm Stella look like nothing (Puck Daddy)
• Pierre LeBrun wonders if the time has finally come to tweak the NHL's playoff format (TSN)
• The Tampa Bay Lightning gave Brian Boyle a tribute in his return to Amalie return after being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs (Streamable via Reddit)/

Do you know who the Ranger in the picture is?