Bantering Points: 5/22/24

Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

Ethan Sears relays word from Filip Chytil, whose comments following practice suggest that the injury-plagued youngster will return to the lineup for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final (NY Post)

Sears also credited the structure Peter Laviolette has brought to Broadway that has enabled the Rangers to succeed as much as they have thus far (NY Post)

Mollie Walker details how Jonathan Quick's voice in the locker room has been of value to the Blueshirts in the playoffs even as the veteran backup has yet to see a second of ice time in the postseason (NY Post)

Larry Brooks describes how the 2024 Rangers, despite being comprised primarily of players who helped the team reach final four in 2022, are a stark departure from the group of two years prior (NY Post)

Erich Richter discussed the hows and whys of New York's seemingly perpetual status as underdogs on the betting market (NY Post)

Neil Best ponders whether Adam Fox's confirmation of his readiness for the Panthers is all truth, or the usual gamesmanship that occurs at this time of the year in hockey (Newsday)

Vincent Mercogliano previews the first playoff series between the Rangers and Panthers since 1997, this time with a berth in the Stanley Cup Final on the line (LoHud)

Greg Wyshynski examines Chris Kreider's place among the all-time list of Rangers' franchise icons (ESPN)

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Around the NHL:

The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired defenseman Ryan McDonagh and a 2024 4th round pick from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2025 2nd round pick and a 2024 7th round pick (TSN)

Sonny Sachdeva previews the Western Conference Final, a matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars that will kick off on Thursday (Sportsnet)