Alexis Lafreniere will be getting the night off for the New York Rangers as a healthy scratch versus the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Per Newsday’s Colin Stephenson, Sammy Blais will take his pace in the lineup tonight.
Lafreniere, 21, was criticized by head coach Gerard Gallant for his recent play and was demoted to the fourth line at practice on Wednesday.
“I want him to be better obviously. Laffy’s gotten some chances to play with good people and he’s played well at times, but it’s inconsistency,” Gallant said. “You have to be consistent but he’s not alone.