Bantering Points: 12/3/24

Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

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

Game Recap: Jesper Bratt scored less than 90 seconds into the game to put the Rangers into a deficit they spent the rest of the game trying (and failing) to dig out of en route to their sixth loss in their last seven games (CBS)

Mollie Walker notes that even Igor Shesterkin is not immune to New York's team-wide poor play, as he let in a few goals he would like back against the Devils (NY Post)

Christian Arnold relayed word from Steve Valiquette, who called out the Rangers after he believes New Jersey's Jack Hughes attempted to show Shesterkin up and his teammates provided zero response (NY Post)

Colin Stephenson points out Filip Chytil's ascension to the top line after spending the majority of his time in the lineup on the third line (Newsday)

Vincent Mercogliano offers his takeaways from the Blueshirts' latest defeat (LoHud)

Remy Mastey discusses Reilly Smith's future as the veteran forward returned to the lineup on Monday following his stint as a healthy scratch on Saturday (The Hockey News)

Mastey also reports that Gabe Perreault, Drew Fotrescue, and EJ Emery have all been selected for Team USA's preliminary roster for the upcoming World Junior Championships (The Hockey News)

Lucas Standel suggests relying on the team's more youthful players as the driving force in busting out of the ongoing 1-6-0 slump (The Hockey Writers)

Around the NHL:

Edmonton Oilers forward Jeff Skinner was fined $2,000 for an instance of embellishment against the Rangers on November 23rd (TSN)

Eric Francis saw Guy Gaudreau, the father of the late Johnny Gaudreau, take the ice for Calgary Flames practice ahead of Tuesday night's game between the Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets (Sportsnet)

Carol Schram lists four players experiencing breakout seasons (The Hockey News)