Alexis Lafrenière Expected To Replace Mika Zibanejad On Rangers' First Power Pay Unit

The New York Rangers are expected to make a change with their first power play unit.

During Sunday’s practice, Alexis Lafrenière replaced Mika Zibanejad on the team’s main power play group.

New York’s first unit consisted of Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Vincent Trocheck, Adam Fox and Lafrenière.

Lafrenière has seen some time on the first unit, but just hasn’t been placed in that role consistently.

Meanwhile, Reilly Smith, Filip Chytil, Will Cuylle, K’Andre Miller and Zibanejad made up the Rangers’ second unit.

Zibanejad was asked about the demotion. He is not worried about his personal feelings though and believes this move can help the team.

“I don’t think there’s time for that right now,” Zibanejad said via Mollie Walker of The New York Post. “This has nothing to do with me personally or something that I’m going to make about myself.

“We’re not in a place in our season to feel sorry for yourself…It’s a different opportunity, it’s another opportunity for that unit with Laffy coming up — and deservedly so. Honestly, just for me, to help the unit that I’m playing on and we go from there.”

The Rangers rank 23rd among all NHL teams in power play percentage as they sit at 17.9%.

Their man advantage has become stagnant, with it reaching a low point on Saturday night after the Rangers gave up two short-handed goals against the Tampa Bay Lighting.

“It’s supposed to be a strength of our team,” Chris Kreider said about New York’s power play. “Tonight it was a detriment.”

We’ll have to see if putting Lafrenière with the big boys will help jumpstart the Rangers’ power play.