Rangers could see more of Alexis Lafreniere in power play’s first line in near future
Discussions about the Rangers' power play unit began long before Alexis Lafreniere came onto the scene. But several times each season, one of the scariest aspects of the Blueshirts' game hits a breaking point, or statistics are generated that raise questions about whether there should be more balance between player groups and the distribution of […]
Rangers’ Alexis Lafreniere finally looks like the highlight-reel top pick
When Alexis Lafrenière was transferred from the Saint-Eustache Vikings of Quebec's Under-18 Development League to the Rimouski Oceanic of Quebec's Major Junior Hockey League, the 15-year-old was living away from home for the first time. . After scoring 83 points in 36 games in the QMAAA during the 2016-17 season, Lafreniere scored 80 points in […]
Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere eyeing very different Rangers leaps
The Rangers had the top two picks in consecutive drafts in 2019 and 2020, a kind of lottery luck designed to change the franchise's fortunes if those picks turn out well. Neither Kaapo Kakko, the No. 2 overall pick in 2019, nor Alexis Lafreniere, the top pick the following year, were instant stars for the […]
Alexis Lafreniere’ emergence is Rangers silver lining worth looking forward to
It’s hard to find a silver lining in the Rangers’ second conference finals loss in the last three years and fifth in the last 12 years, but there is certainly some silver lining. None have been more noticeable or significant than the promotion of Alexis Lafreniere. The 2020 No. 1 overall pick sent shockwaves throughout […]
Alexis Lafreniere needs to get shot with struggling Rangers power play
You’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it 1,000 times, and if the Rangers face elimination in Game 6 and can’t solve it at sunrise on Saturday, you’ll likely hear it 1,000 more times this offseason alone. Teams that rely too heavily on the power play to thrive will be told they don’t stand a chance […]
The diverging Rangers fates of Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko
SUNRISE, Fla. — The Rangers’ top two overall picks have been in close alignment for the most part since the ping-pong ball rose from the machine in 2020 to give manager Jeff Gorton the right to select Alexis Lafreniere with the first overall pick. Lafreniere and Kapo Kako experienced similar struggles when they first came […]
Rangers squeezing everything they can out of Alexis Lafreniere could hit roadblock
SUNRISE, Fla. — It’s unclear how the Rangers managed it or if it’s sustainable, but despite playing most of Game 3 Sunday in their own half under the hash marks and feeling physically worn down, the Blueshirts somehow persevered to earn a 5-4 overtime win over the Panthers and take a 2-1 lead in the […]
Alexis Lafreniere own-goal was breaking point in Rangers’ Game 1 loss
The Rangers lost by just one point in the third period of Game 1 of the conference finals against the Panthers when goaltender Igor Shesterkin went wide in front of the goal and knocked down a loose puck. The only thing is, we didn’t get very far. The puck then landed right in front of […]
Rangers’ Alexis Lafreniere now living up to high early expectations
RALEIGH, N.C. — There was a time when Alexis Lafreniere had nowhere to hide. Now he is ignored and undervalued. Expectations were high as Lafreniere was selected No. 1 overall in the 2020 draft, making him the Rangers’ first No. 1 overall pick since the Universal Draft began in 1970. Alexis Lafreniere celebrates with his […]
Rangers’ Alexis Lafreniere ends playoff goal drought in Game 2
Alexis Lafniere chose a good time to get off the schneid. The Rangers forward took the lead in Game 2, firing a shot past Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Anderson at 10:44 of the first period for his first playoff goal in 28 postseason games. His last playoff record came on May 11, 2022, in Game 5 […]