Bantering Points: 2/23/25

Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

Highlights: BUF 8, NYR 2 (5:03 video via NHL.com)

Game Recap: Looking to put their best foot forward coming out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break, the Rangers instead put forth their worst effort in a season filled with sub-par displays, leaving little doubt about the team's future for the remainder of the season (CBS Sports)

Mollie Walker notes that after ceding five goals to Buffalo in the first period back from the break, Igor Shetserkin ceded the starter's net to Jonathan Quick for the remainder of the night (NY Post)

Walker also points out Jimmy Vesey as being the odd man out once again, as the veteran forward was a healthy scratch on Saturday (NY Post)

Neil Best reports on the agreement reached between MSG Networls and Altice to get MSG properties back on the airwaves for Optimum customers as of Saturday (Newsday)

Vincent Mercogliano offers his takeaways from the Blueshirts' embarrassing display in Buffalo (LoHud)

Remy Mastey believes that Brennan Othmann has earned an NHL opportunity with his strong play as of late with AHL Hartford (The Hockey News)

Sam Henes gives five of his observations from the Rangers' defeat against their upstate rivals (The Hockey Writers)

Arthur $taple believe$ New York'$ no-$how again$t Buffalo coming out of the break $peak$ volume$ (The Athletic)

Around the NHL:

The league's first decentralized draft (by choice, not COVID-related) will take place in Los Angeles on June 27 and 28 (TSN)

Utah Hockey Club forward Barrett Hayton recorded the first hat trick in franchise history during Saturday's 5-3 defeat against the Los Angeles Kings (Sportsnet)

The Winnipeg Jets agreed to a two-year, $6 million contract extension with forward Vladislav Namestnikov (ESPN)