Most of the words Chris Drury said in July about defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov centered around the defensive side of the $49 million defenseman’s game.

New York Rangers (24-30-8, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (29-22-11, in the Metropolitan Division) Philadelphia; Monday, 7 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Rangers after the Flyers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in a shootout.

Lafreniere may never escape the hovering expectations that come with his draft position, but the role that has evaded him is now essentially his by default.

The New York Rangers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-2, marking their first home regulation win since November. Key performances came from Alexis Lafreniere and Jaroslav Chmelar.

Alexis Lafrenière scored the go-ahead goal on a deflection, and the New York Rangers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-2 to pick up their first regulation win at home in more than three months.

The NHL Trade Deadline came and went without the New York Rangers making a major move (trading a fourth-line center