Bantering Points: 4/26/17

Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

• Brett Cyrgalis noticed that Alain Vigneault elected to give Rick Nash a day off from practice (NY Post)
• Larry Brooks believes that the Rangers must maintain their physical play in order to build off of their success against Montreal (NY Post)
• Arthur Staple discusses how New York is game planning to combat Guy Boucher's notorious 1-3-1 defensive system (Newsday)
• Steve Zipay lists five keys to the upcoming series (Newsday)
• Justin Tasch argues how the Blueshirts can't afford to ease up on their old teammate Derick Brassard if they're looking to stop him (NY Daily News)
• Tasch also pointed out that despite all the good things Ryan McDonagh is capable of on the ice, he's no Erik Karlsson (NY Daily News)
• Tom Dianora writes a guide to the Rangers for Senators fans unfamiliar with the team (The Hockey Writers)
• Jess Rubenstein delivers another update on Ryan Gropp and Sergei Zborovskiy (Blueshirt Bulletin)
• Rob Celletti previews the possible forward matchups between Alain Vigneault and Guy Boucher (Blue Seat Blogs)
• Kevin Baumer previews the possible defensive matchups between Alain Vigneault and Guy Boucher (Blue Seat Blogs)
• Timothy Haggerty sees Erik Karlsson's foot injuries as something the Rangers must take advantage of (Blue Line Station)
• John Williams reflects on what New York did to knock out Montreal and move on to the second round of the playoffs (Blue Line Station)
• Post Practice Interviews: Dan Girardi,(1:14) Alain Vigneault,(10:08) Marc Staal,(2:56) Mika Zibanejad,(1:57) Henrik Lundqvist,(2:31) Ryan McDonagh,(2:33) J.T. Miller,(1:12) and Derek Stepan (1:49) (Official Team Site)/

Around the NHL:

• James O'Brien reports that New York Islanders' defenseman Travis Hamonic and Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds have been named finalists for the NHL's Foundation Player Award (NBC Sports)
• Adam Denhard relays word of the Boston Bruins' decision to name Bruce Cassidy their permanent head coach (Stanley Cup of Chowder)
• Elliotte Friedman authors another edition of 30 Thoughts (Sportsnet)
• Greg Wyshynski heard that the Vancouver Canucks are finalizing a deal with the AHL Utica Comets head coach Travis Green in order to become the next bench boss in Vancouver (Puck Daddy)/