Guentzel The New York Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/new-york-rangers/new-york-rangers-artemi-panarin-san-jose-sharks-team-leading-goal] second-line right winger Alexis Lafreniere [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/new-york-rangers/new-york-rangers-alexis-lafreniere-artemi-panarin-vincent-trocheck] has seen the rollercoaster that is the New York market. In training camp and the preseason he was demoted from the first to the third line in a move that many thought would spell his demise. He then scored the club's opening goal of the season. The 22-year-old forward built chemistry with superstar Artemi Panarin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/new-york-rangers/new-york-rangers-artemi-panarin-on-nerves-coming-into-this-season-creating-offense-and-playing-with-alexis-lafreniere] and the blossoming Filip Chytil [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/news/new-york-rangers-filip-chytil-emily-kaplan-returning-to-ny-trocheck-panarin-lafreniere] to help the Rangers to an 18-4-1 record by Dec. 3. In that 23-game span, he recorded 15 points (eight goals, seven assists). Since Dec. 3, Lafreniere has recorded 12 points (four goals, nine assists) in 24 games. MSG Network Analyst Steve Valiquette [https://twitter.com/VallysView] reported this staggering statistic about Lafreniere on Jan. 23. Lafreniere [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/new-york-rangers/exclusive-new-york-rangers-alexis-lafreniere-more-dynamic-than-ever] did not match his goals output from the first 23 games in the second quarter, which is common at the NHL level. What is uncommon is a -8.02 finish ranking with some of the league-worst in capitalizing on high-danger opportunities. The Quebec native has 120 shots on goal compared to the league average of 60 and is in the 96th percentile of offensive zone shifts (NHL Edge [https://edge.nhl.com/en/skater/20232024-regular-8482109]) despite not being on the first powerplay unit. It simply signifies that he is not finishing. Part of that is strong goaltending meeting a cold scorer. In the last few opportunities Lafreniere has had, the opposing goaltender made outstanding saves to counter. The fourth-year NHLer has 51 shots in the low slot this season, finishing 8 of those chances. He ranks in the 96th percentile in the category, recording 31 more shots from that location than the league-average forward. With that, his shooting percentage from the low slot is 15% compared to the league average of 17.1%. He is generating more shots than 96% of the NHL but finishing them at the same rate as the rest of the league. It is fueling a bigger fire, as the Rangers are currently 4-6-2 since the start of January. They have produced 20 goals at 5v5 (16th in the NHL), 29 goals in total (16th in the NHL), and lit the lamp seven times on the power play (9th in the NHL). Every ranking listed above is lower than sixth, the clubs' current place in the NHL standings. Lafreniere will certainly get more looks and have more puck luck as the season continues to roll on. Following the All-Star break, the Rangers are going to need it as they play bitter divisional rivals in the Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils, and New York Islanders a handful of times. When Lafreniere is scoring it solidifies the Rangers as a championship favorite. TOP STORIES:
