Bantering Points: 3/2/17

For the first time in nearly four months, the New York Rangers are back in the City of Champions to take on the Boston Bruins. With the Bruins in the thick of the playoff race, tonight's game should serve as another test for New York to measure themselves with, as new acquisition Brendan Smith will play his first game as a Ranger tonight. Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

• Brett Cyrgalis remarks that injuries will force Brendan Smith into a prominent role on New York's blue line immediately (NY Post)
• Daniel Popper notes that Brendan Smith is walking into a locker room with familiar faces waiting for him (NY Daily News)
• Steve Zipay discusses how Jeff Gorton remained mostly silent during yesterday's trade deadline (Newsday)
• Dave Shapiro passes along notes from yesterday's practice session (Blue Seat Blogs)
• Ben Whitney lists the best and worst trade deadline deals the Rangers' have made in seasons past (Blue Line Station)
• Brandon Cohen speculates what New York can do to fill the void created by Jesper Fast's absence (Blue Line Station)
• Zak Chiger released a highlight video of the Rangers' best moments from the past month (Full Tilt NYR)
• Matt Calamia chatted with Brendan Smith about how he's begun to adjust to being a New York Ranger (Official Team Site)
• Post Practice Interviews: Ryan McDonagh,(2:25) Alain Vigneault,(4:06) and Brendan Smith (4:03) (Official Team Site)/

Around the NHL:

• Mackenzie Liddle compiles the best moments from yesterday's trade deadline coverage (Puck Daddy)
• Sean McIndoe brands the winners and losers after all of the dust from yesterday's trades settled (Sportsnet)
• Scott Cullen analyzes the moves that went down around the league yesterday (TSN)
• James O'Brien relays a humorous fan moment from last night's Carolina Hurricanes-Tampa Bay Lightning meeting (NBC Sports)
• Jared Clinton names five players who were shipped out at a trade deadline in the past, only to return to their old team in free agency (The Hockey News)/