Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

• Mollie Walker saw the team promote Alexis Lafreniere during their latest scheduled practice (NY Post)
• Vincent Mercogliano offers his thoughts on New York’s most recent line combinations (LoHud)
• Tab Bamford relayed word that Artemiy Pananrin has shown his support for Alexei Navalny in the wake of threats against Navalny’s life for returning to Russia (Elite Sports NY)/

Around the NHL:

• David Morassutti hears that Columbus Blue Jackets’ forward Pierre-Luc Dubois was benched early in his team’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning last night, and only earned 3:55 of ice time (Sportsnet)
• Alex Ovechkin headlined a list of Russian Washington Capitals players that will be out for the next four games after landing on the league’s COVID-19 lists (TSN)
• James O’Brien offers his thoughts on the Montreal Canadiens 7-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks to split the pair of games the team played (NBC Sports)/