The Dallas Stars kick off a five-game road trip in the big city against the New York Rangers on Tuesday.

Here are a few quick notes from my travel to the Big Apple.

NJ Transit is the worst

After flying Spirit from Dallas to New York (something we do not normally do), I figured it couldn’t get any lower quality than that… but then I remembered my time living in New Jersey… more specifically, my time commuting to work in New York.

I missed my first train (my fault), my second was delayed because of a bridge and tunnel issue… then I sprinted through Penn Station, through the cold and busy city streets, and eventually up a creepy elevator to get to morning skate.

It’s all part of the experience, dear.

On the brighter side of travel, I did get to enjoy a perfect Taylor Ham (the only way to say it), egg, and cheese sandwich from the famous train car Summit Diner — yes, this is technically in New Jersey. But it’s all the same, right?

This place is not only old, it is extremely good and a staple of my childhood. A visit every time I am home. Do yourself a favor and do the same if you are ever in town.

Mason Marchment & Finns shacking up

I asked Stars coach Pete DeBoer for an update on Mason Marchment, who has been out since taking a deflected puck to the face against the Minnesota Wild on Dec. 27.

I expected a standard answer about him still in the week-to-week status. Instead, DeBoer said Marchment actually needed surgery to repair an issue. DeBoer did still called him week-to-week, but obviously the issue persisted beyond just waiting for the swelling to dissipate.

I will be at practice outside of Philadelphia tomorrow, so I will try to get more information on the surgery itself.

Something else I hope to learn more about tomorrow — this time a good thing — is rookie Arttu Hyry’s living situation.

We learned today after morning skate that Hyry is actually bunking up with Roope Hintz. The two Finns are following in the footsteps of what Joe Pavelski started, when he invited Wyatt Johnston to live with him for two full seasons, and added Logan Stankoven to the house at the end of last year.

DeBoer said this was something they accredit to Pavelski, who took that role into his own hands to mentor and guide two young Stars with very bright futures. The things they learned about the game, and even more so life outside the rink are invaluable and rare to learn so early on.

Hopefully, Hyry can pick up a few pointers from someone who has carved out an excellent NHL career so far.

Speaking of leadership and mentoring, DeBoer also spoke highly of Brendan Smith’s ability to be a great teammate, leader, and mentor to the young players despite not playing in a game since Dec. 18.

Smith is playing tonight against his brother Reilly.

MSG is pretty dang cool

Despite all of the chaos with my travel, Madison Square Garden was more than worth it.

Walking into that building, seeing the famous ceiling, the cast of banners — including Billy Joel, whose most consecutive concerts at MSG by any artist is now at 104 shows — and everything that this building stands for was pretty cool.

I took a few moments — as did many of the Stars players I spoke to — to just take it all in at morning skate. It is quite the scene, and covering my first game here should be even better.

Side note, I also don’t think I will ever grow out of being a bit in awe when guys like Henrik Lundkvist walk past me in the press box. I don’t think I ever want to…

I spent my entire childhood traveling to MSG and the various New Jersey Devils arenas to see the Dallas Stars play.

The fact that it has come full circle, and I am now sitting up in the fancy new press box covering those same Stars… very surreal.

I am not going to cry. Maybe a little bit.

See you in Philly!