1. There's plenty of meaning in tonight's Rangers-Isles clash at UBS. The winner will eliminate the loser in the Wild Card Race; not that anyone is gonna catch the Canadiens.
2. For the Islanders – and those who remember the outdoor game last winter in Jersey – there's a very big "Get Even" feeling among the Nassaumen. Especially Matt Martin, if he gets to play; which The Maven hopes he does.
3. For Igor Shesterkin – assuming that the super rich goalie gives a fig – there's a matter of rebuilding a demolished reputation. We're talking about a former Vezina Trophy-winner who now seems hellbent toward winning the Don Rickles Cup.
4. For the entire Rangers team – although it's likely too late – there's a matter of an image change.
5. More and more, I hear fans echoing the thoughts of Blue Collar Blueshirts columnist Sean McCaffrey. To wit: "The Rangers have no heart. I can't think of another Rangers team I hated more."
6. For crying out loud Peter Laviolette put Gabe Perreault back in the lineup before you (Pistol Pete) get canned. And stop with the phony alibis that he'll learn from the press box. (I've had enough baloney on wry!)
7. By the way, thanks to Brother McCaffrey for pointing out that – despite his four assist night – Mika (You'll Never Get Rid Of me) Zibanejad wound up minus-one. (That, my fine feathered friends, is what you call a good trick.)
8. Full Transparency: The Maven said that the arrival of J.T. Miller would be like having a Second Messier on the team. MAVEN=WRONG!
9. More Full Transparency: The Maven said that the Rangers would get a Wild Card berth. MAVEN=99 PERCENT WRONG.
10. If the Rangers can arrange a Sam-JD reunion, I wanna see a Jiggs McDonald-Ed Westfall (alias #18) reunion on MSG Networks next season. Jiggs and #18 were a supremely magnificent duet. Superior fellows!