Here are today’s news and links:

Rangers News:

• Highlights: NYR 3, BUF 2 (4:54 video via NHL.com)
• Game Recap: Alexis Lafreniere picked a great time to score his first professional goal, as he won last night’s game with an overtime tally (CBS)
• Larry Brooks discusses the impact Colin Blackwell has had since being promoted from the taxi squad (NY Post)
• Colin Stephenson thinks that if the team’s defensive struggles continue, a Libor Hajek promotion from the taxi squad could be around the corner (Newsday)
• Vincent Mercogliano offers his takeaways from last night’s contest in Buffalo (LoHud)
• Sean Crimmins believes that Kaapo Kakko has successfully rebounded from his rough rookie campaign (The Hockey Writers)
• Jim Bay argues that the Rangers will need more from their veteran leaders in order to stay competitive this season (Empire Sports Media)
• Media Availability: Alexis Lafreniere (1:52) and Igor Shesterkin (3:13) (Official Team Site)/

Around the NHL:

• Sean Leahy relays word that former Detroit Red Wings’ goaltender Jimmy Howard announced his retirement from the league (NBC Sports)
• Washington Capitals’ defenseman Zdeno Chara scored his first goal as a Capital en route to a 6-3 victory for his team over the New York Islanders (TSN)
• The Calgary Flames’ AHL affiliate, the Stockton Heat, will be moving from California to Calgary for the 2020-21 season (Sportsnet)
• Shepard Price reports that Vegas Golden Knights’ defenseman Alex Pietrangelo has been laced on the league’s COVID Protocol list (Knights On Ice)/