Alexis Lafreniere’s long-awaited emergence is Rangers silver lining worth looking forward to
NY Post
Recognizing the silver linings in the Rangers’ second conference final loss in three years, as well as the organization’s fifth in the past 12, is difficult to do — but they’re certainly there.
None is more prominent, or important, than the ascension of Alexis Lafreniere.
The 2020 first-overall pick was one of the Rangers’ most consistent skaters in the playoffs after sending shock waves throughout the NHL during the regular season, banging the drums and alerting the masses that he has finally arrived.
It took three coaches and four seasons to get to this point, but you know what they say: Better late than never.
“It was really fun watching him play during the entire season, to see how he really improved,” his linemate, Artemi Panarin, said through an interpreter during the postseason. “It’s fun to play on the same line with him.”
After obliterating his previous career highs by scoring 28 goals, dishing 29 assists and posting 57 points in 82 games this season despite logging limited time on the second power-play unit, Lafreniere did what so many struggle to do and followed it up with an even more impressive playoff run.
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PORTLAND, Ore. — Toumani Camara had career highs of nine 3-pointers and 35 points to help Portland beat the Brooklyn Nets 134-99 on Monday night, the Trail Blazers’ largest margin of victory this season.
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On the Queens side of town, the reno began in earnest almost as soon as Francisco Lindor grounded into the 4-6-3 double play. That ended a 4-0 loss before a rare sizable crowd at Miami’s loanDepot Park last Sept. 27, all of them there to witness the final death rattles of an epic baseball calamity.
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PORT ST. LUCIE — From the moment he was told he needed surgery on his left hamate bone, Francisco Lindor fixated on the recovery time. Trainers provided the Mets shortstop a six-week pathway to return to play, and Lindor was determined to hit every marker.
Dylan Garand knew the number off the top of his head. He knew that, between the regular season and playoffs, he’d logged over 160 games with AHL Hartford, and he was right. Before the Rangers recalled him Friday, Garand had served as the Wolf Pack’s goaltender 165 times.