Bantering Points: 3/20/17

While the Rangers may not have played last night, their playoff destiny became much more clear due to various results around the league. Regardless of that, New York still has ten games left on their schedule, and will strive to play their best to build momentum before heading into the playoffs. Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

• Larry Brooks heard from Marc Staal about what lead up to Alain Vigneault's decision to shift him to the right side of his defensive pairing (NY Post)
• Brooks also points out how Jimmy Vesey could be the key to turning New York's fortunes around (NY Post)
• Steve Zipay dives into how Brady Skjei, Pavel Buchnevich, and Jimmy Vesey have made their marks in the NHL as rookies (Newsday)
• Jess Rubenstein delivers another prospect update, with bits on Tyler Wall, Sean Day, and more (Blueshirt Bulletin)
• Adam Gretz wonders if Rick Nash's time on Broadway is coming to an end (FanRag)
• Dave Shapiro relays the latest news on Henrik Lundqvist's status (Blue Seat Blogs)
• Timothy Haggerty reminisces on the five best Ranger rookies since the lockout (Blue Line Station)/

Around the NHL:

• Cam Tucker reports that the mumps may be back in NHL locker rooms, as Calgary Flames forward Micheal Ferland has been placed under observation due to symptoms of mumps (NBC Sports)
• Due to yesterday's results around the league, the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Pittsburgh Penguins have all punched their tickets to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, while the Montreal Canadiens established a nearly insurmountable lead in the Atlantic Division (Sports Club Stats)
• Chris Johnston passes along word from Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock that the bench boss blames himself for Brad Marchand's ascension to superstar status (Sportsnet)
• This one's an oldie but goodie, as goaltender Mike McKenna (now with the Syracuse Crunch) talks about the differences between the ECHL, AHL, and NHL from a goalie's perspective (In Goal Mag)/