Entering the playoffs, most of the focus was on Artemi Panarin for the Rangers. He had a great regular season by achieving new career highs in goals (49), points (120), power-play goals (11), shots (303), and even strength points (75).

In a 4-1 victory over the Capitals to take Game 1 on Sunday, Panarin had a goal and seven shots. It was exactly the start he needed. Game 2 was a different story. The Caps focused on shutting down the Rangers’ best player. He went without a shot in over 20 minutes of ice time.

Instead, Tuesday night was all about Panarin’s linemates. Both Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere had good games. Each made an impact in the Rangers’ 4-3 win over the Caps to take a two games to none series lead.

With the Blueshirts behind on a Connor McMichael tally, Trocheck won a faceoff and got to the front of the net to tip in an Erik Gustafsson shot for his first of the postseason. That tied the score.

On the second half of a power play, Lafreniere dug out a loose puck in the corner and got it over to Trocheck. He then came out and passed across for Mika Zibanejad, who beat Charlie Lindgren to give the Blueshirts the lead.

It was part of another strong game for Lafreniere. At 22, the former 2020 top pick is starting to come into his own. He found great chemistry with Panarin and Trocheck on the top scoring line. His confidence grew thanks in large part to Rangers coach Peter Laviolette staying patient with him.

Lafreniere remained on the Panarin line throughout the season. That allowed him to gain confidence and grow as a player. The end result was setting personal bests in goals (28), assists (29), points (57), shots (217), and even strength points (51).

Even without playing on the top power play unit, he proved he could make an impact. Most of his production came at five-on-five. An area he excels at. That’s due to how hard he competes.

After picking up a helper in Game 1, Lafreniere had two more assists last night. Ironically, they came on the power play. For the season, he totaled six power play points (2-4-6) while being used on the second unit.

With the first unit unable to get going, Laviolette sent out Lafreniere and Gustafsson. It paid dividends. On the Zibanejad power-play goal that made it 2-1, Lafreniere won a battle behind the net and softly moved the puck to Trocheck, who then set up Zibanejad.

It’s that gritty edge Lafreniere plays with that makes him most effective. He’s not afraid to mix it up in the trenches to win battles.

In the second period, with the game tied, Lafreniere again came on in the second half of the man-advantage. He made a good back pass to Gustafsson, who then moved the puck quickly for a Jack Roslovic shot that beat Charlie Lindgren upstairs for the go-ahead goal.

The heads-up play by Lafreniere made it hard for the Caps’ penalty killers to recover. That allowed Gustafsson to set up the Roslovic power-play goal.

It was a huge open ice hit by Lafreniere on Caps defenseman Vincent Iorio that led to Trocheck feeding Panarin for a goal in the first game. Lafreniere separated Iorio from the puck and picked up a key secondary assist on Panarin’s tally that gave the Rangers two goals over a 33-second span to break open a scoreless tie.

The Blueshirts also got a Jimmy Vesey goal to make it 3-0 in just 2:06. They went on to a 4-1 win in Game 1. Lafreniere had an assist, three shots, five attempts, and tied Jacob Trouba for the team lead with five hits. None were bigger than the one that injured Iorio and led to the Rangers scoring a second straight goal.

When he plays with a physical edge, Lafreniere is very effective. His skating improved in his fourth season. So did his ability to score and set up teammates.

One strong characteristic is that Lafreniere has a high battle level. He brings a lot of grit and energy to go with his skills. That’s a unique combo.

If he continues to bring that to this series, Lafreniere will continue to have success in the postseason. They’ll need him to go far.