TEMPE, Ariz. — After Alexis Lafrenière buried his third goal of the night into an empty net for the first hat trick of his career, the number of hats that covered the ice at Mallett Arena was an incredible sight. revealed that he was at the venue.
In the Blueshirts’ 8-5 win over the Coyotes on Saturday, Lafreniere helped the team stand up several times thanks to his five points, and the team’s 2020 No. 1 overall pick made his first appearance in four games. Scored 50 points or more. He has been in the NHL for one year.
“I always work hard and try to get better every year,” Lafniere said. He became the first Ranger under the age of 22 to score five or more points in a game since Brian Leitch. “Just playing my game and playing with confidence. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
After jumping out on a 2-on-1 rush with Vincent Trocheck and making it his own to lead off the scoring in the first period, Lafreniere responded to the Coyotes’ goal within 17 seconds, giving the Rangers a 3-3 lead. Gave a lead of -1. Around 6 minutes 45 seconds in the middle frame.
Lafreniere got assists on Ryan Lindgren’s goal and Zach Jones’ goal, and sealed the victory for the Rangers with an empty netter.
“He’s a special player,” Jonathan Quick said. “He’s a game breaker. He creates drama. He does it very well. [Artemi Panarin] and [Trocheck]. It’s fun to watch. It’s fun to watch him play. ”
Rangers have their captain back.
Jacob Trouba returned to action against the Coyotes, marking the 30-year-old defenseman’s first return to action since March 4, when he missed 11 straight games with a lower-body injury.
As a result, Chad Ruhwedel becomes the seventh healthy scratch since the Penguins traded him to New York before the March 8 trade deadline.
Zach Jones remained in the lineup, skating alongside Braden Schneider, and scored his second goal of the season, giving the Rangers a 5-3 lead. Trouba returned to his usual post next to K’Andre Miller. The pair of Ryan Lindgren and Adam Fox remained.
Trouba finished at minus-2, but head coach Peter Laviolette said he returned to the game wearing No. 8.
“It’s good to have him back on the field,” Laviolette said. “I thought he was similar to Trouba. He was trying to fight, he was trying to compete in things. I think everybody can go out for a month and it takes like a minute to get back to normal. Yo. I have no doubt that he will continue to get even better.”
Forward Matt Lempe was healthy for the second straight game.
