Another long wait ended Thursday for Lafreniere, who scored his first career goal 2:47 into overtime to secure a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres .
It happened in a game the Rangers squandered two one-goal leads, snapped an 0-3-1 skid, and Lafreniere was robbed of a goal in the opening minute of the third period.
Rangers coach David Quinn continued to be impressed by the 19-year-old forward’s persistence by noting how Lafreniere returned to the bench laughing after being stopped.
"Nice pass by Blacky, and I had an open net," said Lafreniere, who didn’t feel any additional pressure being on the ice for the extra frame.
It came on the power play, 20 seconds after Ryan Lindgren was penalized for cross-checking Kyle Okposo into the end boards of the Rangers zone.
Sabres coach Ralph Krueger’s objective in a shortened season is making sure Buffalo remains in the playoff hunt through 36 games and then see how the final 20 shake out.
- NY Rangers takeaways: Alexis Lafrenière snaps four-game losing streak with first NHL goalUSA TODAY
- Alexis Lafreniere's 1st goal seals Rangers' OT win at BuffaloNew York Daily News
- Rookie Alexis Lafreniere scores in overtime as Rangers snap four-game losing streakNewsday
- Mike Harrington: After an OT stinker, Sabres have to keep bouncing backBuffalo News
- Lafreniere's First Goal Lifts Rangers In OTJamestown Post Journal
- OPINION: The Sabres were lucky to escape with a point against the Rangers.ESPN Rochester
- Alexis Lafreniere's first NHL goal lifts Rangers to OT winNew York Post
- Colin Blackwell goes from taxi squad to making big plays for RangersNew York Post
- No. 1 overall pick Alexis Lafrenière's first NHL goal is an OT winner for the RangersThe Comeback
