Alexis Lafrenière: the goal in his net at the start of the series “stung his pride”.

Tonight, the Rangers and Panthers battle it out in the all-important Game Five.

The winner will push their opponents to the wire.

For Alexis Lafrenière, the 2024 series may be the turning point of his young career. Yes, he had an excellent regular season, but he’s still very much involved in the playoffs, with much tighter play.

In fact, Guillaume Latendresse admits that the Quebecer is the only youngster in New York playing inspired hockey during the spring tournament.

Kaapo Kakko is one of those who disappoints.

Not all young Rangers raise their game in the playoffs like Alexis Lafrenière:

“Kaapo Kakko is one of the biggest draft disappointments of recent years. He has all the assets, but that doesn’t translate to the ice!” -@thetender1987

At de @LangloisMario pic.twitter.com/BjhgtQgy2M

– 98.5 Sports (@985Sports) May 31, 2024

It must be said that the Association Finals series got off to a very poor start for the former Océanic.

He scored the Panthers’ insurance goal in his own net in the first game of the series.

Alexis Lafreniere with the OWN GOAL and the Panthers take a 2-0 lead pic.twitter.com/90EQVGeEv1

– Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 23, 2024

That goal bothered him. His agent Olivier Fortier confirmed this in an interview with TVA Sports.

He says that the goal stung his client’s pride and just motivated him to work harder.

Alexis Lafrenière’s rise as seen by his agent https://t.co/ICIG8u6zme

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) May 31, 2024

We see the Alexis of his junior years. – Olivier Fortier

His time in the NHL hasn’t been easy, but the Quebecer finally seems to have broken the logjam. In 82 regular-season games, he collected 57 points. And in the playoffs, he has almost a point a game (13 points in 14 games).

His poor start to his big-league career has served him well, however. As his agent points out, it helped him to build a shell and not take everything for granted. Yes, his junior career was easy, but the NHL is a different game.

One thing’s for sure: next season will be an important one for Laffy. He’ll need to build on his excellent 2023-2024 season to earn a big contract. He will become a free agent (RFA) in July 2025.

For now, we can only rejoice at his enormous progress.

In bursts

– Of course.

Any movement coming soon from the Habs?

“Kent Hughes is on the phone. He’s talking to a lot of people and looking to improve the team. The Habs are trying to move” -@mmcguirehockey

Live at de @LangloisMario pic.twitter.com/6iR9IXdV1u

– 98,5 Sports (@985Sports) May 31, 2024

– Finally points for Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.

Mika Zibanejad also gets his first point of the series, with an assist. https://t.co/tjEeuNZWfI

– Patrick Friolet (@PFrioletRDS) May 31, 2024

– Quite a play.

He knows how to play hockey, the little guy from Aylmer, who had the Calder Cup in his kitchen last summer. https://t. co/hVrHiNtVcd

– jf plante (@jfplante_sports) May 31, 2024

– Great content, as usual.