Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/c85619e8-407b-41eb-b2ba-6a17bdf50cc7.jpeg] Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images Despite the New York Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/]’ dropping their third consecutive loss in the form of a 6-3 defeat against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night, Alexis Lafrenière hit the 20-goal benchmark for the second time in his six-year NHL career. Lafrenière scored on the power play off a deflection in front of the net, which is a spot he’s continued to thrive in over the team’s most recent stretch coming out of the Olympic break. Over the past 12 games since the Olympic break, the 24-year-old forward has recorded eight goals, seven assists, and 15 points. “I’m happy for him,” Sullivan said of Lafrenière reaching 20 goals on the season . “It's not easy to score 20 goals in this league. I’m happy for him. It’s a good achievement, and we gotta keep building on it.” Lafrenière has thrived playing alongside his new linemates, Gabe Perreault and Mika Zibanejad. Playing with Lafrenière in both a five-on-five and power-play setting, Zibanejad can feel the young forward oozing with confidence. A Lunch Outing That Helped Transform Alexis Lafrenière’s Game [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/901e8f8d-f253-458f-9da1-b54f481e67ef.jpeg] A Lunch Outing That Helped Transform Alexis Lafrenière’s Game The groundwork for Alexis Lafrenière’s recent surge was laid during a lunch. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/a-lunch-outing-that-helped-transform-alexis-lafreniere-s-game] “Confident, I feel like he’s trying to make the right plays at the right time,” Zibanejad said of Lafrenière. “You see anyone with confidence, you see what they are capable of doing… Putting in the work and getting rewarded for it too, that’s been awesome.” During the 2023-24 season, Lafrenière recorded a career high of 28 goals, as he’ll have 13 games to try and eclipse that mark.
