MONTREAL — Alexis Lafreniere did not practice with the team on Monday, but the Rangers wing skated alone afterward.
Despite the Rangers' announcement that Lafreniere is dealing with an upper-body injury, the 23-year-old has not had any problems with his individual practice.
Head coach Peter Laviolette declined to comment on Lafrenière's status heading into Tuesday night's game against the Canadiens at the Bell Center, but based on his practice results, he is the 2020 No. 1 overall pick. There were plenty of indications that the No. 1 pick would be okay to play.
“I don't think we should base our conversation on speculation,” Laviolette said. “I can't comment on that [Tuesday] still. “
Matt Lempe played in place of Lafreniere on the right wing with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck.
As a result, Johnny Brodzinski returned to the right wing position in the fourth unit along with Sam Carrick and Adam Edstrom.
Had Lafreniere been expected to miss the game, the front line would have changed even more dramatically.
“I thought he was one of our top players in the playoffs,” Laviolette said of Lafrenière, who is on a five-game winning streak with three goals and three assists. “And I think that was the growth that we saw throughout the year. If you look at the way he started and the way he progressed throughout the year, you can see his confidence growing.
“And when he got into the playoffs, I thought he had a real edge in the game. His line was really good. He was excellent. This is where he left off last year. I think we're starting again and continuing to make progress.”
With Rempe skating in his place, it's safe to assume that if Lafreniere is available, the 6-foot-8.5 forward will be a healthy scratch for the fourth time this season.
After scratching Zach Jones for the first time this season in Toronto on Saturday night, Laviolette slipped the 24-year-old defenseman along with substitute Chad Ruhwedel in Monday's practice.
“We're going to have to make some difficult decisions,” Laviolette said. “It doesn't really matter who we play, but we have a decision to make. …The conversation I had with Zach was just keep working hard and keep doing what you have to do when you get back out there.” It was just that.”
The top four remained intact: Quandre Miller vs. Adam Fox and Braden Schneider vs. Jacob Trouba, but Ryan Lindgren skated with Victor Mancini.
Based on practice, Jones-Rouvedel could be available for Tuesday's game against Montreal.
That is, of course, unless the Rangers activate Lindgren from injured reserve at some point on Tuesday before the game.
The NHL has named Artemi Panarin its second star of the week after he has four goals and four assists in the last three games.
