Bantering Points: 1/14/17

Despite what the Rangers' players may have thought, the team's bye week ended last night, and the second half began with a 4-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, they'll need to have short-term memories and put last night's game behind them, as they'll be back in action tonight at the Bell Centre as they take on the Montreal Canadiens. Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

• Highlights: TOR 4, NYR 2 (Video via NHL.com)
• Game Recap: Goals from Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller weren't enough to prevail on the night the team honored the late Steven McDonald (CBS)
• Larry Brooks writes about how New York's biggest strength has also become their fatal flaw (NY Post)
• Brett Cyrgalis points out that Rick Nash is worried that he may not return to form following his two groin injuries (NY Post)
• Pat from BSB released report cards for the Rangers' bottom six forwards (Blue Seat Blogs)
• George Ruggiero examines the Anaheim Ducks as a possible trade partner, and suggests a deal that would work for both sides (Blue Line Station)
• John Williams details the choices Jeff Gorton will have to make with his roster once the team returns to full health (Blue Line Station)
• Mark Masters shares an entertaining nugget of info from Henrik Lundqvist about how he used to play street hockey with William and Alex Nylander during their father Michael's time in New York
• Postgame Notes: Pavel Buchnevich was able to extend his point streak to five games in spite of a sub-par effort by a majority of the team (Official Team Site)
• Postgame Interviews: Ryan McDonagh,(1:57) Alain Vigneault,(3:03) and Henrik Lundqvist (2:45)
• He appeared in 27 games for the Rangers at the turn of the decade, was part of the seemingly endless list of AHL-caliber veterans that inhabited John Tortorella's 4th Line. Yesterday's player in the picture was.....Kris Newbury (Wikipedia)

Around the NHL:

• Cam Tucker reports that the Florida Panthers paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the Ft. Lauderdale airport shooting with a decal on their helmets in last night's 5-2 loss against the New York Islanders (NBC Sports)
• In honor of Friday the 13th, Ken Campbell released the NHL's all-bad luck team (The Hockey News)
• Sean Leahy reports that women's hockey legend Hayley Wickenheiser has announcer her retirement from the sport (Puck Daddy)
• waffleboardsave complied all of the sights and sounds from former Calgary Flame Martin St. Louis' retirement ceremony in Tampa last night (Raw Charge)/