Nick Kypreos of SportsNet: The Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers have opened the door for quite a few teams to get back into the NHL playoff picture. This changed the NHL trade market considerably over the last month or so. As a result, some players, and even teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins teeter when they were almost projected out.

As it stands, the Penguins are in fourth-to-last place in the Eastern Conference and carry a goal differential of minus-36. It's a Penguins season that is on pace to be the worst since Sidney Crosby's rookie year in 2005-06.

Josh Yohe of The Athletic: Earlier in the season, the New York Rangers offered forward Mika Zibanejad to the Vancouver Canucks for forward J.T. Miller. The Canucks said no. The Rangers are interested in re-acquiring Miller. NHL Rumors: What Will it Take for the Montreal Canadiens Not to Sell?

There’s been a lot of issues with the New York Rangers this season. Sure, head coach Peter Laviolette deserves some fault – but this time the organization should direct the blame at the players first before even thinking about the 60-year-old.

Here are three things to watch for when the New York Rangers visit the Montreal Canadiens in an important Eastern Conference clash.

The start of a crucial five-game stretch highlights the New York Rangers daily, which also includes a division rival placing its No. 1 goalie on waivers.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have taken points from some of the NHL’s finest clubs this season. Although they have a modest total of 18 victories after 45 games, they’ve beaten division leaders like Toronto and Washington,

He guided the Canadiens to an impressive 31-15-9 record and a surprising Stanley Cup victory in a seven-game final against the Blackhawks in 1971 but a fallout with team captain Henri Richard during the playoffs would ultimately see the end of his coaching time in Montreal.

The Montreal Canadiens bounced back from a tough loss to the Maple Leafs by coming back to knock off the New York Rangers on Sunday night at the Bell Centre.

The Ottawa Senators hit the road against the New York Rangers trying to prolong a three-game road winning streak.

The Rangers couldn't pull off all four points in a weekend back-to-back, but they looked like a team heading in the right direction.

Patrik Laine scored 3:20 into overtime and the Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Rangers 5-4. Brendan Gallagher and Christian Dvorak had a goal and an assist, and Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky also scored for the Canadiens,