The New York Rangers are leading the Eastern Conference Final over the Florida Panthers 2-1 after a 5-4 overtime victory in Game 3. While Alex Wennberg was the overtime hero, Alexis Lafreniere‘s play continues to be the talk of the playoffs.
Lafreniere’s breakout season with the Rangers is continuing into the playoffs. He is tied for second on the team in goals with six alongside Barclay Goodrow. Vincent Trocheck and Chris Kreider each have seven goals for the Rangers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In addition, he is third on the team in scoring with 12 points (six goals and six assists). With each passing game, Lafreniere gains more and more confidence.
Just look what he did in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Panthers. Lafreniere scored two brilliant goals to stifle the Panthers’ momentum.
With Sam Reinhart giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead on the power play, the game was quickly tied at 1-1 after Lafreniere snuck behind the Panthers defense.
This was a nice little backhand over the glove of Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. Lafreniere continues to come up with big goals for the New York Rangers. But his big night was not finished.
With Game 3 tied at 2-2, Alexis Lafreniere comes up with one of the best goals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
This was a highlight-reel goal that only came with confidence. And Lafreniere has gotten that confidence playing in the right spot with head coach Peter Laviolette at the helm. Would we have seen Lafreniere try a toe-drag around Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov last year or even the year before? Nope. But that is what happens when a player gains confidence in his ability.
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The number one overall pick from the 2020 NHL Draft showed why he was the consensus number one pick that year. This was an outstanding move punctuated by another backhand goal. It took Lafreniere time to find his game in the NHL, but playing alongside Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck has done wonders for his confidence and game.
“Yeah, I think by working out hard this summer and trying to get better,” Lafreniere told reporters after Game 3 when asked where his confidence improved. “Improve my skating a little bitedmonton oilers custom jerseys plus size. Just play my game. Make plays and Obviously playing with Panarin and Trocheck helps a lot and like i said just try to play my game.”
His coach even noticed how well he played in Game 3 in the post-game media availability.
“Lafreniere had a heck of a game,” Laviolette told reporters following the Rangers Game 3 victory. “His speed was evident. When he grabbed the puck, he was a difference-maker. Maybe one of our more noticeable guys tonight.”
You could see Laviolette gaining more confidence in Lafreniere, too. At points in the third period and into overtime, he moved Alexis Lafreniere up to the first line with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. However, Laviolette should try to find a way to get Lafreniere more ice time if he can. He does not play on the penalty kill or the first power play unit, but he has been one of the Rangers best players this post-season.
Considering he had two goals in 15:58 of ice time and just 9:27 through the first two periods, you can argue that Alexis Lafreniere was a big reason why the Rangers were in the game and had the lead.
The Rangers must find a way to give Alexis Lafreniere more ice time in the future. He was ready for the bright lights of the Stanely Cup Playoffs.
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