Bantering Points: 5/2/17
News and notes for Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017
The action shifts back to Madison Square Garden tonight in the Rangers-Senators series, with the Blueshirts looking to avoid a 3-0 deficit. Playing at home has done wonders for the Rangers against Ottawa, as the team hasn't lost a home playoff game to the Senators in over five years. Here are today's news and links:
Rangers News:
- Brett Cyrgalis hears that Rick Nash has re-lived his missed playoff opportunity in overtime "1,000 times". And no, he's not talking about this one (NY Post)
- Cyrgalis also points out how Alain Vigneault's criminal under use of Brady Skjei is starting to impact the team's chances (NY Post)
- Justin Tasch discusses now Brendan Smith is looking to take it upon himself to earn more minutes (NY Daily News)
- Game Preview: With a possibly revamped lineup, New York will look to get themselves back in the series with a win on home ice (CBS)
- Tom Dianora pinpoints the decisions made by Alain Vigneault that have landed the Rangers in a 2-0 series hole (The Hockey Writers)
- Josh Khalfin ponders if the Blueshirts are targeting Czech free agent defenseman Radim Simek (Blue Seat Blogs)
- Brandon Cohen argues the the team's defense corps is set for a major overhaul over the summer (Blue Line Station)
- Tyler Kluepfel gives five reasons why New York is capable of coming back against the Senators (Blue Line Station)
- Post Practice Interviews: Alain Vigneault,(5:12) Henrik Lundqvist,(2:22) Chris Kreider,(1:20) Derek Stepan,(1:59) J.T. Miller,(0:58) Brendan Smith,(2:09) and Rick Nash (1:48)/
Around the NHL:
- Gare Joyce speculates that any amount of time missed due to injury by Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby could create a dark cloud over the NHL (Sportsnet)
- Crosby has also been named as one of the finalists for the Hart Trophy for League MVP, alongside Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsku and Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (TSN)
- Ryan Kennedy examines the evolution of a successful defense corps, and highlights the Nashville Predators' unit as the modern day role mode (The Hockey News)/