Bantering Points: 4/17/23

Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

Mollie Walker points to how the Rangers and Devils will exploit open ice on offense as being a key factor in their upcoming playoff series (NY Post)

Walker also highlights the unusually high amount of former first overall picks (four) and former first round draft selections (19) taking part in this series (NY Post)

Colin Stephenson previews how the Blueshirts stack up with their rivals from across the Hudson River (Newsday)

Stephenson also wrote about the youth and speed the Devils will be bringing into their battle against New York (Newsday)

Matt Grazel makes three predictions about a potential Stanley Cup run for the Rangers (The Hockey Writers)

Around the NHL:

Rory Boylen ranks the goaltenders of the 16 playoff teams ahead of the start of playoff action elsewhere in the league tonight (Sportsnet)

Mark Masters relays word that Matthew Knies, Toronto's top forward prospect who made his NHL debut down the stretch of the regular season, is expected to open as a healthy scratch in the Maple Leafs' series against the Tampa Bay Lightning (TSN)

The IIHF has barred Russia and Belarus from participating in international competition for the length of Russia's invasion of Ukraine (ESPN)