Bantering Points: 1/3/25

Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

Highlights: NYR 2, BOS 1 (5:03 video via NHL.com)

Game Recap: Mika Zibanejad scored a rare 5-on-5 goal, Brett Berard chipped in another, and Jonathan Quick's first game as the starter in the wake of Igor Shesterkin's injury was a strong enough showing for the Blueshirts to begin 2025 on the right foot (CBS)

Mollie Walker notes that Berard's tally against the Bruins was his first game-winning goal in the NHL, so it meant a little bit more to the rookie forward (NY Post)

Walker also checked in former Ranger Kaapo Kakko as the recently traded forward settles into his new role with the Seattle Kraken (NY Post)

Colin Stephenson wonders if Berard's bump the lineup onto New York's third lien could provide a spark moving forward (Newsday)

Brian Abate makes the case for why Zac Jones cannot be a healthy scratch as frequently as he's been as of late (The Hockey Writers)

Sam Henes lists five New Year's resolutions as the Blueshirts begin 2025 (The Hockey Writers)

Remy Mastey hears that Chris Drury is reportedly interested in a Broadway reunion with J.T. Miller (The Hockey News)

Around the NHL:

The Dallas Stars agreed to a two-year, $1.65 million contract extension with forward Oskar Back (TSN)

Alex Ovechkin scored again, the lowly Ducks beat the mighty Jets, and the Sabres blew another big lead against the Avalanche on a jam-packed Thursday night around the league (Sportsnet)

Team USA blew out Switzerland 7-2, and Team Canada fell to Czechia in the quarterfinals for a second consecutive year, and Sweden and Finland also advanced at the World Junior Championships (ESPN)