Seven Things You Wanted To Know About The Rangers But Were Afraid To Ask

1. I'm not convinced that Mika Zibanejad is finished as a Ranger but the rest of the Civilized World is. Mika Marauder Sean McCaffrey drops me some menacing Mika math and a dig: "What 'Resurgence?' He's 822 out of 825 in the Minus Parade. Minus 23 while averaging 18:18 of ice time." Okay, wise guy, now tell me what's the best way of getting rid of him? Ergo: Who'll take him?

2. If Matt Rempe does not get more than seven minutes playing time tonight on a line with Adam Edstrom and Sam Carrick, I hope that – after the game – one of the avid reporters in Salt Lake City asks Peter Laviolette why?

3. It was a year ago about this time when Reilly Smith began losing his way with the Penguins. Since New York isn't Pittsburgh, Lavvy's hope is that Reilly remains even a little bit of an asset as he has been lately and not a failing Penguin as he was a year ago.

4. Kaapo Kakko Watchers can't help but notice that the former Blueshirt whipping boy is playing superior hockey in Seattle. At last look, Double K had 23 points while Darling Boy Big Alexis Lafrenière had 24. Blogger NYR Louie wrote, "There's a real chance that Kakko will finish the season with more points than Lafrenière."

5. Like the weather, it's tough to gauge from day to day what Fiery Fil Chytil's barometer is reading. Ever reliable Jess Rubenstein has a warning for Fiery Fil: "If Chytil wants to skate with his head down he should be moved to the wing. The way he carries the puck through the middle of the ice is just begging for him to take that one last hit that retires him for good!"

6. Brennan Othmann is turning into the bust of busts down in Hartford. "When he returned from injury," Jess Rubenstein reports, "he was 2-3-5 in his first two games back. Since then he's 1-2-3 in his last nine games. No goals in his last five games and just one goal in nine." (Translated: OY VAY!)

7. If you think "streak," like The Maven does and if the Rangers win tonight – the next up foe is Columbus on Saturday night at The Garden. (Shhhh: it's a four-pointer, no less!) And that should explain why The Maven is getting worried about their chances. You should, too!