The annual California road trip kicks off today for the New York Rangers, and the first stop is the Staples Center in Los Angeles to take on the Kings. With the California trip being the final major road trip of the season for New York, the next three games should serve as an opportunity to test their mettle against stiff competition before the playoffs one final time. Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

• Game Preview: The Rangers have the chance to put a dagger in Los Angeles’ playoff hopes by leaving the City of Angels with two points (CBS)
• Larry Brooks hears from Henrik Lundqvist about the challenges he will face when he suits up for the first time in nine games tomorrow night against the Anaheim Ducks (NY Post)
• Steve Zipay notes that Dan Girardi is also slated to re-enter New York’s lineup during the road trip (Newsday)
• Jim Cerny reminisces on some of the Rangers’ previous trips through California (The Hockey Writers)
• Scott Charles relays news of how Mats Zuccarello helped a group of Norwegian women hockey players make the trip to their tournament games (Blueshirt Bulletin)
• Ben Whitney points out that the Blueshirts still have a shot at tying the league record for road wins if the team can manage to win out (Blue Line Station)
• Mike Murphy argues that the Brendan Smith acquisition has been a successful one for Jeff Gorton (FanRag)
• Post Practice Interviews: Alain Vigneault,(4:26) Dan Girardi,(2:05) Henrik Lundqvist,(4:02) and Derek Stepan (1:58) (Official Team Site)
• Ty Ronning discussed his game, what he can bring to the Rangers organization, his experience growing up as the son of an NHLer, and more (3:44 Video via Official Team Site)/

Around the NHL:

• Jonathan Willis breaks down the secrets to picking a bubble playoff team to go on a run deep into the spring (Sportsnet)
• In a shocking piece of news, the NHL will not suspend Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby for slashing Ottawa Senators defenseman Marc Methot and chopping a portion of his finger off (TSN)
• Greg Wyshynski believes that with China set to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, the NHL is ready for it’s first Chinese owner (Puck Daddy)
• EvolvingWild presents a new look at aging curves for skaters (Hockey Graphs)/