Bantering Points: 5/15/24
Here are today's news and links:
Rangers News:
Ethan Sears highlights Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jordan Staal as players who are quickly becoming pains for the Blueshirts to deal with as this playoff series drags on (NY Post)
Sears also sees a Game 6 on the road as an opportunity for this group of Rangers to prove themselves as different from prior iterations (NY Post)
Lastly, Sears pointed to a quiet two games out of Artemiy Panarin as a worrying sign (NY Post)
Larry Brooks writes that for all the hysteria concerning the back to back losses, even Game 6 is not a true must-win contest with a Game 7 at MSG serving as the worst case scenario (NY Post)
Neil Best notes that as questions regarding Panarin's playoff performance once again mount up, a strong showing in Game 6 would go a long way towards answering any questions (Newsday)
Colin Stephenson argues that even holding a 3-2 series lead over Carolina, it's New York that currently faces more questions than answers (Newsday)
Vincent Mercogliano highlights the Blueshirts' stars as the answers to closing out the Hurricanes, rather than hoping a different 12th forward will do the trick (LoHud)
Brennan McClain reports that Jacob Trouba was named the winner of the Mark Messier Leadership Award (Pro Hockey Rumors)
Lucas Standel lists three changes the Rangers need to make ahead of Thursday's Game 6 (The Hockey Writers)
Mark Lazeru$ and Peter Baugh rattled off five rea$on$ for New York to be both confident and concerned about the remainder of thi$ playoff $erie$ (The Athletic)
Around the NHL:
Ryan Clark recaps the Edmonton Oilers' 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks in Game 4 of the Pacific Division finals to knot the series at two wins apiece (ESPN)
Boston Bruins' goaltender Jeremy Swayman made 28 saves en route to his team staving off elimination in Game 5, defeating the Florida Panthers 2-1 and forcing a Game 6 in Boston (TSN)
Rory Boylen poses a question for each of the eight teams whose seasons ended with first round playoff defeats (Sportsnet)