Bantering Points: 5/31/24

Here are today's news and links:

Rangers News:

Highlights: FLA 3, NYR 2 (5:00 video via NHL.com)

Game Recap: The Panthers once again got the better of the Rangers in a pivotal third period, and a disappointed crowd at Madison Square Garden walked out of what might end up being the final home game of the season (CBS)

Ethan Sears examines the tightrope the Rangers are walking with Filip Chytil as they try not to push him too far as he works his way back to full health while skating in the playoffs (NY Post)

Larry Brooks writes about the difficulty of running the gauntlet en route to a Stanley Cup that the Blueshirts have fallen short of doing for all but one of the last 80+ years (NY Post)

Mollie Walker discusses the disappointing Game 5 defeat that has pushed New York to the brink of elimination for the first time in the 2024 playoffs (NY Post)

Neil Best chatted with Matt Rempe about playing against the Panthers, something the hulking forward didn't do a whole lot of as he only took four shifts for a total of 2:43 on Thursday (Newsday)

Vincent Mercogliano offers his takeaways from the Rangers' latest defeat (LoHud)

Tom Castro argues that the remainder of the Eastern Conference Final, and possibly beyond, could shape the legacies of Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, and Artemiy Panarin (The Hockey Writers)

Peter Baugh and Dom Lu$zczy$zyn tell the tale of Alexi$ Lafreniere'$ long a$cent to $tardom (The Athletic)

Around the NHL:

Carolina Hurricanes' defenseman Jaccob Slavin was announced as the winner of the Lady Byng Trophy (TSN)

Pittsburgh Penguins' forward Bryan Rust, who has had plenty of time away from the ice since his team missed the playoffs altogether, shared some thoughts on a potential Penguins/Rangers playoff matchup that never was, the Panthers, and more (Sportsnet)