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TORONTO — The correlation between Alexis Lafrenière’s expanded role and the strongest start of his NHL career is evident.

It wasn’t until his seventh season that the 2020 No. 1 overall pick was deployed on the top line, skated on the first power play unit and logged nearly 20 minutes of ice time a night, almost every night, from Day 1 of a new campaign.

There’s no use in rehashing all the reasons why it unfolded this way. The logjam of top-six forwards ahead of him when he was drafted is well documented and the inconsistencies in his game that made it difficult to entrust him with such assignments are known.

Through his first three and a half weeks with such responsibilities, however, Lafrenière has thrived .

“I think he’s opened up — or developed — other aspects of his offensive game,” head coach Mike Sullivan said Thursday before the Rangers took on the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. “In particular, his grind game down low in the offensive zone.…