Bantering Points: 2/9/25

Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

Highlights: NYR 4, CBJ 3 (5:03 video via NHL.com)

Game Recap: The Blueshirts appeared destined for another disappointing loss heading into the 4 Nations break, but a pair of third period goals from Will Cuylle to flip the tables on Columbus helped New York earn two critical points in the wild card race (CBS Sports)

Mollie Walker notes that although Igor Shesterkin will be headed to injured reserve with an upper-body injury, the injury comes at as fortunate a time as ever with two weeks off for Shesterkin to recover (NY Post)

Anthony Rieber details Cuylle's heroic efforts as the Rangers staged comeback victory in Saturday's Metropolitan Division battle (Newsday)

Mike Fink makes the case for why Erik Brannstrom, seemingly an afterthought in the J.T. Miller trade, could emerge as a useful piece for the Rangers (The Hockey Writers)

Stan Fischler ponders who is to blame for what has been a disastrous 2024-25 campaign for the Blueshirts this far (The Hockey Writers)

Around the NHL:

New York Islanders forward Mat Barzal underwent a knee procedure that is expected to keep him out for approximately six weeks (TSN)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty has been named as an injury replacement for Alex Pietrangelo for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off (Sportsnet)