The Rangers have agreed to terms with undrafted free agent forward Michael Kantor.

The 6' 1" Kantor, 21, registered 20 goals and 13 assists for 33 points, along with 93 penalty minutes in 56 games with the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) this season. He established career-highs in goals and points. Kantor ranked fourth on the team in goals, eighth in points, and third in penalty minutes. He also tied for third on Sudbury with six power play goals, and was one of four Wolves’ players to record a shorthanded goal.

Apparently, from the videos on YouTube, Kantor likes to do this...

During the Rangers 4-2 loss to the Flyers on Tuesday night, Derek Stepan took a dirty, cowardly elbow to the head from Claude Giroux which went virtually unnoticed around the hockey world...

Pat Leonard at the Daily News describes the aftermath of the hit...

"Giroux's hit just inside the Philadelphia blue line, on the first shift of the third period, had Stepan wobbling on the ice and aching on the bench before he returned to score and nearly complete a comeback in a 4-2 Rangers loss."

Leonard adds that the NHL did not schedule a hearing for Giroux.

...it doesn't get more disgusting than this folks. While no intentional blow to the head should be tolerated, I can understand, in the heat of the moment, when a player, looking for the big hit, comes in high and hard. But what Giroux did is completely different. His sole purpose is to injure Stepan. The puck was no where near the Rangers center and Giroux goes out of his way to target the head. And in typical Flyer fashion, instead being a man and taking on Stepan face-to-face, Giroux decides to assault him from behind. Coward.

Bergen Record - Rangers must sharpen focus

New York Post - Rangers vow to show more fight to the finish

Daily News - Stepan skips practice after Giroux hit

Newsday - Chris Kreider recalled from AHL

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Chris Kreider is recalled by the Rangers. #RDS

— Renaud Lavoie (@RenLavoieRDS) April 17, 2013

...there you go folks. Not sure if this means Boyle injury is serious or this is just a precautionary move.

...this move obviously won't fill the faceoff void, but hopefully Kreider can add some additional offense to this lineup which has sputtered again recently.

Meanwhile, Andrew Gross at the Bergen Record reports that both Brian Boyle (right leg) and Derek Stepan (maintenance day) did not practice today.

Gross adds that Stepan indicated that he was confused after being hit by Claude Giroux right before he scored the Rangers final goal in the third period last night and that he's fine now.

Stepan did add that he he's a little banged up today.

There was no word on Boyle's condition.

...you know Stepan's in the zone when he can score despite being confused after a hit. In all seriousness, hearing that recount from Stepan has me a bit concerned about the possible "C" word.

Despite continued blurry vision, Marc Staal returned to practice for the first time since suffering an eye injury last month. Staal did not give Gross a timetable and said he still needs to feel safe with puck rimming around boards, or with the puck dumped into the zone.

...got to assume Staal's appearance at practice had a lot to do with the loss last night. Hope they continue to take they're time with him, especially after hearing that he's still having vision issues in dangerous positions.

Derek Dorsett did not practice and has still not been cleared for contact.

Finally, it looks like John Tortorella might be taking my power play advise...

During last night's 4-2 loss in Philadelphia, John Moore, once again, displayed a smooth skating game that included a sweet pass through the neutral zone to spring Mats Zuccarello for the Rangers first goal. He even showed a little of that snarl he's been working on with Schoenfeld coming to the defense of Ryan Callahan.

On the other end of the spectrum, Michael Del Zotto proved once again that he may never develop into the power play quarterback, we all hope he can be. Numerous turnovers, not being able to keep the puck in the zone and a big ole o'fer with the extra man when the Rangers could least afford it.

I don't see how John Tortorella doesn't at least try Moore at the point. It can't get worse. Sure, Moore has exactly zero power play points in his brief career, but I doubt he's been given much of a chance. He's shown great vision on the ice as well as the ability to get the puck through the neutral without turning it over. Moore is currently averaging 11 seconds of power play time with the Rangers.

As part of the NHL's decision to play six outdoor games next season, including the Winter Classic, Katie Strang at ESPN NY reports that the Rangers will be playing the against the Devils and Islanders at Yankee Stadium during the week leading up to next year's Super Bowl at the Meadowlands.

The Devil game is scheduled for January 26th, while the Islander game will be on January 29th. The Rangers will be the visitors for both games.

The 2014 Winter Classic is scheduled for January 1st in Ann Arbor, Michigan between the Red Wings and Maple Leafs.

The other three games include the Ducks and Kings at Dodger Stadium on Jan. 25, the Penguins and Blackhawks at Chicago's Soldier Field on March 1 and the Senators and Canucks at Vancouver's BC Place on March 2.

...you had to figure it was only a matter of time until Bettman killed his signature event. The NHL finally captures the coveted non-hockey fan with the Winter Classic and what do they do? They dilute it and essentially destroy the majesty of this amazing spectacle. The Winter Classic ceases being a big deal as soon as the Rangers step on that Yankee Stadium ice against the Devils.

...i know the NHL is a business and multiple outdoor games will bring in big money, but I have to wonder if it's worth minimizing what's become a must see New Year's Day event.

Last night, Rangers website beat writer Jim Cerny reported that after speaking with reporters, Brad Richards sat by himself hunched in the corner with his hat pulled low.

Cerny added that Ryan McDonagh went over to console Richards and that tremendous frustration has built up for the Rangers Alternate Captain.

Richards was pointless with no shots on goal and won just nine of 20 faceoffs in the Rangers 4-2 loss to the Flyers last night. He also lost a huge faceoff that led to Kimmo Timonen's goal.

Richards is now pointless in four straight games.

Here's what Richards said after the game...

“I cannot explain it. It’s tough to figure.”

...i really have no idea what to think with Richards. Sure he didn't light it up last year, but he had one of the great all-time clutch seasons for the Rangers. Now, he can't even score on empty nets. Could he have gotten this old, this quick? We saw it with Drury and it might be happening again with Richards.

Last night, Brian Boyle left the game in the first period at the 14:03 mark after sustaining what appeared to be a right leg injury. While Boyle did test the leg during a commercial break with three minutes left in the period, he looked uncomfortable and did not return.

After the game, Boyle told Andrew Gross of the Bergen Record that he's doing ok, but was wearing a knee brace.

...the loss of Boyle was noticeable in the faceoff circle big time last night. We saw Richards lose a huge faceoff that led to Timonen's goal and then Stepan couldn't win any faceoffs in the Flyers zone when Hank was pulled late. There's a lot to criticize Boyle about, but the Rangers will miss his faceoff prowess if he's out for an extended period of time.

Bergen Record - Rangers sluggish in 4-2 loss to Flyers

New York Post - Rangers fall to lowly Flyers

Daily News - Rangers fall to Flyers, lose Boyle to injury

New York Times - Rangers Fall With Time Running Out on Playoff Push

Newsday - Rangers' playoff hopes take hit in loss to Flyers

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As the shortened regular season heads towards its conclusion, playoff hopefuls need every point they can get. Tonight, in Philadelphia, the Rangers suffered a costly 4-2 loss at the hands of the Flyers. For a full box score of the game, check out Yahoo! Sports.

- Disappointing would be the best way to describe this loss. The Rangers just were not good enough to win this hockey game. Tried to turn it on in the third period, but it wasn't enough. Sure, they were victimized by some bad bounces early, but did not play hard, or well, enough to deserve a win.

- Costly is another word to use. Every team New York is fighting with for a playoff spot won tonight (Senators, Jets, Islanders, Capitals). Now tied for eighth place with Winnipeg but have a game in hand. Still six games to go, but not getting two points tonight may come back to haunt the team.

- Very rare that another goalie outplays Henrik Lundqvist. By no means did he cost his team the game, but Steve Mason was tested, came up big and won this game for his team. Hank wants that second goal back for sure.