1. Neither "tough" nor "easy," the schedule is there for the Rangers challenge. Minnesota, tomorrow night at MSG, is a thoroughly "takeable" foe.
2. Ditto for the Devils on Saturday afternoon in Newark. Minus starry Jack Hughes, New Jersey is vulnerable and should be good for New York's ever-evasive third-straight win.
3. No question, Igor Shesterkin should start both games. Furthermore, there's absolutely no reason for coach Lavvy to start Jonathan Quick at The Garden on Monday vs. Tampa Bay.
4. In lieu of a captain, the club should designate veteran Adam Fox leader of the defense and J.T. Miller foreman of the forwards.
5. Considering the superior manner that Jonny Brodzinski has been mastering the 200-foot game, he deserves no less than 14 minutes of ice time no matter whether he's on the first or fourth line.
6. Alexis Lafrenière appears to have opened his eyes to opportunity. However, The Maven is wondering whether it's a case of with his eyes wide open, he's dreaming?
7. I expect that Saturday's visit to The Rock will be a legitimately nasty "Battle Of The Hudson." Face it, the Devils not only want to nail down points but to build what had been shattered confidence.
8. For the legion of Sam Rosen fans who are counting, the Rangers' iconic broadcaster has eight remaining regular season games on his slate. Then come the – er, ah, um – playoffs.
9. I've been as big a Brad Park fan as anyone, but when it comes to banner raising – as Sean McCaffrey points out – Cup-winners Frank Boucher, Ching Johnson and Bill Cook belong ahead of Park.
10. Yes, there's still time for the much-much-much maligned Mika Zibanejad to pull his weight in the "Playoffs Or Bust:" crusade. (Hello! Mars to Mika; Mars to Mika; THAT MEANS YOU!)