Alexis Lafreniere’s 100th Career Goal Highlights Rangers’ Comeback Victory
On December 23, 2025, at 10:58 PM ET, the New York Rangers secured a thrilling 7-3 win over the Washington Capitals, with Alexis Lafreniere’s 100th career goal being the highlight of the game. Lafreniere, the former No. 1 draft pick, reached this milestone as part of a five-goal third period that rallied the Rangers to victory.
Lafreniere’s goal was part of a remarkable comeback, as the Rangers were down 3-2 after two periods. However, Taylor Raddysh tied the game with his second goal, and Lafreniere made it 4-3 just 68 seconds later. The Rangers continued to dominate, with Vincent Trocheck making it 5-3, Artemi Panarin scoring into an empty net, and Trocheck adding one more goal with Washington goalie Logan Thompson back between the pipes.
Lafreniere’s achievement is even more impressive considering he was playing against Alex Ovechkin, who holds the NHL record with 911 goals. When asked about his milestone, Lafreniere said, “I knew I was at 99, so it’s good to get it. It’s a good feeling.” He also jokingly added, “I need to play until I’m 80,” in reference to Ovechkin’s record.
Rangers’ Road Performance Continues to Impress
The Rangers’ victory is a testament to their impressive performance away from home. They currently have a 14-6-1 record on the road, compared to 5-10-3 at Madison Square Garden. After the Christmas break, they will play at the Islanders, Hurricanes, and Capitals before facing the Panthers in the Winter Classic in Florida. Their next home game is scheduled for January 5.
The Capitals, on the other hand, had been 16-0-0 when leading after two periods, making the Rangers’ comeback even more notable. As Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said, “I don’t think it was a situation where we go into the third and we lose all of this momentum. I just think it’s a couple of plays, and then you’re chasing it from there.”
The Rangers’ win is a significant one, and Lafreniere’s 100th career goal is a milestone worth celebrating. As the team continues to perform well on the road, they will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming games and make a strong push for the playoffs.
