Bantering Points: 12/15/24

Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

Highlights: LAK 5, NYR 1 (5:01 video via NHL.com)

Game Recap: A poor first period was followed by an even worse opening to the second period as the Rangers trailed by five goals less than halfway through the game, and the boys in blue were never able to get things going in yet another poor outing (CBS)

Jared Schwartz points to the recent emergence of Brett Berard as a positive to come out of New York's recent stretch of poor play (NY Post)

Larry Brooks gives his thoughts on Jimmy Vesey once again sitting as a healthy scratch (NY Post)

Neil Best sees Saturday's matinee defeat against the Kings as one that should raise red flags about the Rangers (Newsday)

Vincent Mercogliano offers his takeaways from New York's latest defeat (LoHud)

Brian Abate highlights Victor Mancini as a defenseman that has, and will continue to need to, step up for the Blueshirts (The Hockey Writers)

Remy Mastey reports on the state of a Rangers team that is on a path to nowhere with the way they've been playing recently (The Hockey News)

Around the NHL:

The Boston Bruins claimed forward Oliver Wahlstrom off waivers from the New York Islanders (TSN)

The St. Louis Blues acquired defenseman Cam Fowler and a 2027 fourth-round pick from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka (NBC Sports)

Elliotte Friedman lists three players that could be on the move ahead of the league's holiday roster freeze that begins on December 20th (Sportsnet)