Alexis Lafrenière scored a hat trick Tuesday, leading the New York Rangers to a 5-2 victory over the Islanders and demonstrating an expanding facet of his game that has earned the trust of head coach Mike Sullivan.
While Lafrenière's offensive prowess was on full display with his three goals, it was his defensive contributions in critical late-game scenarios that have become increasingly notable. Sullivan has begun deploying Lafrenière in 5-on-6 situations, when an opposing team pulls its goalie in a bid to tie the game.
"It means a lot," Lafrenière said after the game regarding Sullivan's confidence in him during these high-stakes moments. "You always want to be out there late in games, either when you’re down one, up one, whatever it is."
Sullivan has previously described Lafrenière as having "untapped potential," noting that there is more the coaching staff aims to extract from the forward. Lafrenière concluded the previous season with 24 goals and 57 points, and his performance Tuesday suggests this development is ongoing.
His first goal of the night came in the second period when Mika Zibanejad found him with a pass, and Lafrenière converted with a shot that beat Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov. The top line of Lafrenière, Zibanejad, and Gabe Perreault, which showed flashes of dynamism at the end of the 2024-25 season, has been a focus for Sullivan early this season. Their combined production Tuesday contributed to extending the Rangers' winning streak to four games.
Lafrenière's two goals in the third period came just 32 seconds apart, further cementing his impact on the game. Beyond scoring, Lafrenière has also been effective defensively. On Sunday, with less than a minute remaining, he blocked a shot and drew a penalty, showcasing his commitment on both ends of the ice. Through the first five games of the season, he is tied for third in the NHL with four penalties drawn.
"We think that he’s a guy that’s very capable there, so we’re challenging him there to bring a defensive conscience in those situations — and he gets rewarded with some empty-net opportunities," Sullivan commented postgame Tuesday. "We’re not just handing that stuff to [Lafrenière]. We think he’s earned that, and that’s why we’ve given him that opportunity. … His complete game on both sides of the puck continues to grow and develop."
In other news, Rangers legend Mark Messier lauded 18-year-old defenseman Alberts Smits, the team's No. 5 overall pick in the June draft who made the opening night lineup. Messier, now an NHL analyst, remarked on ESPN that Smits has played with the poise of a veteran despite his limited experience, highlighting his subtle but effective defensive play.
"He’s played four games in the National Hockey League, and he’s looked like he’s playing 400 games in the National Hockey League," Messier said. "His nuances and the subtleties of his game are unparalleled for anybody I’ve seen play this position. … He’s not gonna be on the highlight offensive reels there, but this is the kind of guy you win Stanley Cups with because he does all the subtleties — he’s a shutdown defenseman that’s only 18 years old."