The New York Rangers are aiming for top honors this season. After a rocky start to the season, the Blue Shirts look more like the team that aspires to top honors this year. Despite everything, it is not so much the collective performances that make people talk as those of Alexis Lafrenière who was left aside recently.
In his first and only stint at the Bell Center in October 2021, Lafrenière scored the game-winning goal for the Rangers. A similar performance would make it possible to forget that he watched his team face the Lightning from the bleachers on December 29.
« After the game last year, I played well afterwards. I tried to do it again. It’s the second half of the season that begins, I hope to play good hockey. »
In his third season in the NHL, the first pick in the 2020 draft must find his place among the pros, but also within a team full of good veterans, especially on the left wing, in Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin.
“He doesn’t have the opportunity to play on the first unit on the power play. I’m happy with him, he’s going to be a good player, but there’s a player ahead of him. Kappo is in the same boat. »
Alexis Lafrenière finds an attentive ear in Julien Gauthier. The Quebecer was left out three times in December, as he battles hard to keep his place on the fourth line. “We encourage each other not to give up and to stay positive. New York is a big market and you can’t ignore it. You have to find ways to work harder and improve your game to stay in the lineup. »
Collectively, the Rangers seem to have found their rhythm in recent weeks. They have dropped just two games in regulation time in their last 13 meetings. Star goaltender Igor Shesterkin will enjoy a night off as Jaroslav Halak looks for a third straight start.