Rangers News:

Game Recap: Igor Shesterkin and Henrik Lundqvist split time in last night’s exhibition matchup in the final opportunity to make their case as the team’s playoff starter (Newsday)
Larry Brooks notes that the Blueshirts dodged a bullet, as Marc Staal’s injury that forced him to leave the game was only a minor one (NY Post)
Brooks also forsees some issues in the upcoming contract negotiations with Jesper Fast (NY Post)
Matt Cosman believes that the Rangers provide a tall task for the Carolina Hurricanes to overcome in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers (The Hockey Writers)
Steve Paulus writes that with their lone exhibition match in the rearview mirror, the Blueshirts will be all business moving forward (Blue Line Station)

Around the NHL:

After being fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs in November, Mike Babcock is set to join the NCAA’s Vermont Catamounts as a “volunteer advisor” for their men’s hockey team (Sportsnet)
In spite of the league hosting its first best-of-five playoff series in 34 years, coaches and players around the league are ready to embrace another chance to win the Stanley Cup (NBC Sports)
The Chicago Blackhawks announced that once fans return to the stands of NHL home games, headdresses will not be allowed in the United Center (TSN)