Bantering Points: 5/6/17

With a pivotal Game 5 on the docket for the Rangers and Senators, today's matchup is the most important game either team has played this season. While the Rangers are no strangers to turning 3-2 deficits into 4-3 series victories, stealing a game on the road and sending the series back to New York with a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

• Larry Brooks pinpoints the one thing that can cause the Rangers to let the a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals slip away (NY Post)
• Brett Cyrgalis states why Kevin Hayes' disappearing act this spring is nothing to be concerned about (NY Post)
• Arthur Staple discusses how stout defenseman from New York's blueliners has helped turn the tide of the series (Newsday)
• Justin Tasch hears from some of the team's veterans about the sense of urgency that comes with each passing year (NY Daily News)
• Shayna Goldman highlights how Oscar Lindberg is capable of excelling in a variety of roles (FanRag)
• Justin Rutherford points out how adjustments from Alain Vigneault have swung momentum in the Blueshirts' favor (Blue Seat Blogs)
• Drew McCaffrey thinks that Jimmy Vesey has become an impact player on New York's first line (Blue Line Station)
• John Williams notes that the Ottawa Senators haven't been able to keep up with the Rangers' physicality as of late (Blue Line Station)
• Post Practice Interviews: Alain Vigneault,(6:37) Mats Zuccarello,(2:44) and Henrik Lundqvist (2:17) (Official Team Site)/

Around the NHL:

• Sean McIndoe examines which non-playoff teams should be willing to trade their first round pick (Sportsnet)
• Matt Larkin names the Vegas Golden Knights next starting goaltender, along with fourteen other possibilities (The Hockey News)
• Brian LeBlanc reports that the Carolina Hurricanes have agreed to a four year, $16.6 Million contract with goaltender Scott Darling (Canes Country)
• Scott Cullen breaks down how Veags Golden Knights general manager George McPhee is making a smart gamble be signing KHL superstar Vadim Shipachyov (TSN)
• Greg Wyshynski lists five reasons why "3rd Line winger Alex Ovechkin" isn't the absolute dumbest thing you've seen or heard as of late (Puck Daddy)/