Bantering Points: 12/1/24

Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

Highlights: NYR 4, MTL 3 (5:01 video via NHL.com)

Game Recap: A late goal from Kaapo Kakko after the Blueshirts had blown a 3-1 third period lead proved to be the difference maker as the team's losing streak came to an end at five games (CBS)

Mollie Walker notes that the Rangers made Saturday's game more difficult than it needed to be, but a win is a win given where this group is at right now (NY Post)

Vincent Mercogliano offers his takeaways from New York's losing streak-snapping win over Montreal (LoHud)

Eric Engels calls out the officiating from the Canadiens-Rangers clash and uses it as an example of why NHL officials should be required to answer media questions (Sportsnet)

Stan Fischler ponders whether or not Peter Laviolette and Chris Drury could be on the hot seat (The Hockey News)

Remy Mastey points out that with Chris Kreider and Filip Chytil both drawing back into the lineup on Saturday, it was Reilly Smith unexpectedly taking a seat as a healthy scratch (The Hockey News)

Peter Baugh give$ $ix of his ob$ervation$ from New York'$ bounce back victory (The Athletic)

Tom Banks wonders if Smith's healthy scratch is a precursor to a trade for the veteran forward (Blade of Steel)

Around the NHL:

Mark Spector details how not even two months into the NHL's first season in Utah, the decision to move the Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City has been a smashing success (Sportsnet)

The Minnesota Wild acquired defenseman Divid Jiricek and a fifth-round pick in the 2025 Entry Draft from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for defenseman Daemon Hunt and a package of four draft picks (TSN)

The Colorado Avalanche acquired goaltender Scott Wedgewood from the Nashville Predators in exchange for goaltender Justus Annunen and a sixth-round pick in the 2025 Entry Draft (ESPN)