The outstanding play of Alexis Lafrenière has propelled the Rangers to a commanding series lead over the Hurricanes.
When the New York Rangers selected forward Alexis Lafrenière with the first overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, expectations for the young forward were sky high.
The Quebec native was considered a can’t miss kind of prospect with the potential to be a superstar caliber player in the NHL one day.
Those expectations weren’t met immediately.
Through his first three years in New York, Lafrenière failed to record over 40 points in a single season and it was clear that he was still adapting to play at the NHL level.
Everything changed for Lafrenière this season. Coach Peter Laviolette made a big move by elevating Lafrenière to a top-six forward role on a line alongside Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck.
The 22-year-old flourished in his new role on pace for his best statistical season of his career. Lafrenière had 28 goals, 29 assists and 57 points in 82 games while averaging 17:16 minutes of ice time.
Just a fine finish from Alexis Lafrenière. pic.twitter.com/Cl7tChsmX2
— x - New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 12, 2024
Lafrenière was an integral part of a Rangers team that won the Presidents Trophy with a 55-23-4 record and 114 points.
Through New York’s second round series against the Carolina Hurricanes thus far, Lafrenière has been nothing short of spectacular.
He has recorded four goals, two assists and six points over the course of four games, helping the Rangers take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
“I bumped him on the bench, saying, ‘It’s coming.’ And so it’s nice to see him continue to take steps in the playoffs and continue to be a difference-maker and I thought he was [in Game 4],” Laviolette said via the New York Post. “I don’t think he was rewarded offensively the way he maybe should have been after [creating so many chances.]”
It's simply been incredible to see the growth of Lafrenière this season and after years of patiently waiting, the young phenom has finally arrived.
