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)