Alexis Lafreniere has been scratched for Thursday’s game against the Lightning.
Lafreniere’s demotion in practice Wednesday to the 4th line was the big topic of conversation on this week’s “Up In The Blue Seats” podcast with Mollie Walker, Larry Brooks and me. We recorded the show on Wednesday before the scratch was announced Thursday, but it seemed that this was a possibility after seeing the changes made in Wednesday’s intense practice following a brutal showing at MSG Tuesday in a 4-0 loss to the Capitals.
Is the the right move? Tune in below to find out.
Up In The Blue Seats Podcast with Jake Brown & Mollie Walker:
- TUESDAY’S DUD VS. CAPS: Rangers were a no-show on Tuesday night. The officiating was terrible, but the Rangers could not score a goal.
- GALLANT’S CHANGES: Wednesday was a hard-nosed practice and coach Gallant made some lineup changes. He had the players running gassers.
- RANGERS-ISLANDERS: Somehow there will be no more Rangers-Islanders games this season after Thursday’s finale, which was very entertaining. The NHL needs to be better and spread these games out throughout the season. Igor Shesterkin had a few of the Islanders at his place for Christmas.
Larry Brooks Interview:
NY Post Rangers beat writer
- LINEUP CHANGES: Gallant’s lineup changes are in the realm of sensibility. Alain Vigneault and John Tortorella used to change lineups even more.
- GALLANT: Taking him a long time to sort out which lineups work and which ones don’t. Difficult for them to play consistent hockey without having consistent combinations. If they played well Tuesday, there would not have been changes.
- LAFRENIERE DEMOTION: Was this the right move? How disappointing has his development been? He has not made enough of an impression. It seems like he is an average skater. His instincts seem to be a bit off. He is a major investment as the first overall pick. Not ready to label him a bust yet.
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