Bantering Points: 2/25/17

The Rangers are back in action tonight, as they take on their rivals from across the river, the New Jersey Devils. With the Devils largely out of playoff contention, this evening's game could be their final appearance before a trade deadline garage sale. Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

• Justin Tasch discusses how Alain Vigneault's attitude towards the trade deadline could shape their stretch run (NY Daily News)
• Steve Zipay reports that Kevin Klein will be unavailable for the busy weekend (Newsday)
• Sean Hartnett writes that Rangers could dangle Brandon Pirri as a valuable trade piece ahead of next week's trade deadline (CBS)
• Game Preview: After earning four points at home, New York will look to win the first meeting with the Devils in Newark this season (CBS)
• Rory Sasson details how the Rangers' ideal playoff spot could be as a Wild Card (Elite Sports NY)
• Dave Shapiro offers his take on New York being linked to Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith (Blue Seat Blogs)
• David Bruce highlights a number of soon-to-be unrestricted free agents for the Rangers to bolster their farm system with (Blue Line Station)
• John Williams examines Brendan Smith's hypothetical fit on New York's defense corps (Blue Line Station)
• Post Practice Interviews: Brady Skjei,(1:41) Alain Vigneault,(4:34) Henrik Lundqvist,(4:20) Brandon Pirri,(1:10) and Ryan McDonagh (1:43)
• He appeared in nine games on Broadway during the early 2000's, and racked up an astounding 51 Penalty Minutes. Yesterday's player was in the picture.....Krzysztof Oliwa (Wikipedia)/

Around the NHL:

• Sean Leahy sees how the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins have been able to balance the experience of playing outdoors with the necessity of two points (Puck Daddy)
• Mike Halford passes along news that a mumps outbreak has hit the Vancouver Canucks locker room (NBC Sports)
• Luke Fox sat down with former NHL goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov for a Q&A session (Sportsnet)
• More trades were made ahead of the trade deadline yesterday, with Tomas Jurco getting shipped from the Detroit Red Wings to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a 3rd Round Pick, and Patrick Eaves being dealt from the Dallas Stars to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a conditional 1st Round Pick (TSN)/

Do you know who the Ranger in the picture is?