Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

• Highlights: WSH 4, NYR 2 (3:43 video via NHL.com)
• Colin Stephenson recaps last night’s action from Madison Square Garden (Newsday)
• Larry Brooks examines the reasons why the Rangers would fire Alain Vigneault (NY Post)
• Garrett Gartino discusses what should be expected from Lias Andersson over the next two weeks (Blue Line Station)
• Greg Kaplan offers his thoughts on New York’s last week of action (Blueshirts Breakaway)
• Jess Rubenstein delivers another prospect update, with bits on Tim Gettinger, Ryan Lindgren, and more (Blueshirt Bulletin)
• Mike Valvano notes that in spite of losing some of their top players, the Blueshirts’ power play hasn’t skipped a beat (The Hockey Writers)
• Neal Pionk and John Gilmour squared off in an intense game of NHL 18 (1:01 video via Official Team Site)
• Lias Andersson chatted with the media after scoring a goal in his NHL debut (1:04 video via Official Team Site)/

Around the NHL:

• Luke Fox reports that Toronto Maple Leafs’ forward Nazem Kadri isn’t a fan of the NHL’s nonsensical playoff format (Sportsnet)
• Frank Seravalli analyzes the race between Edmonton Oilers’ forward Connor McDavid and Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon for the Hart trophy (TSN)
• Ryan Lambert muses that a number of general managers will have to reflect on how they wasted away high end talent on shrewd contracts as golfing season approaches (Puck Daddy)
• Alex Pietrangelo opens up about his experiences coping with loss in his life (The Players Tribune)/