Bantering Points: 4/19/23

Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

Highlights: NYR 5, NJD 1 (5:01 video via NHL.com)

Game Recap: The Rangers' stars were out in full force as Igor Shesterkin, Chris Kreider, and Adam Fox lead the way in a Game 1 victory in the latest installment of the Hudson River rivalry (CBS)

Mollie Walker notes that although the close proximity of the Prudential Center to New York could allow the Rangers to stay at their homes throughout the series, the team will be spending their days prior to games on the road in a hotel (NY Post)

Mark Cannizarro points to the Blueshirts' playoff experience as a key factor in their ability to control the pace of play for most of the opening game (NY Post)

Colin Stephenson hears about Brendan Smith's desire to knock out his former team after losing to the Rangers during last year's playoffs as a member of the Hurricanes (Newsday)

Vincent Mercogliano offers his takeaways from the Blueshirts' Game 1 win (LoHud)

Arthur $taple $aw New York'$ con$ciou$ effort on the defen$ive $ide of the puck a$ the key to their $erie$ opening victory over New Jer$ey (The Athletic)

Around the NHL:

Dallas Stars' forward Joe Pavelski's status for tonight's Game 2 remains up in the air following the vicious hit he suffered from Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba (NBC Sports)

Winnipeg Jets' forward Morgan Barron received 75 stitches after taking a skate to the face and returned later on during last night's series opening game against the Vegas Golden Knights (TSN)

In the wake of their team's series opening 7-3 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs fans reacted about as well as one would expect (Sportsnet)