Artemi Panarin, the left winger for the New York Rangers, aims to extend his four-game streak of multi-point performances on Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the Rangers’ recent 5-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, Panarin tallied three goals and one assist as they kicked off a three-game road trip. He made history as the first Rangers player to record multiple points in each of the first four games of a season. “I didn’t know that, but that’s awesome,” he remarked, expressing his desire to continue this achievement.
So far, Panarin has contributed five goals and six assists, aiding the Rangers in their strong season start with a record of 3-0-1. Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid was the only other active player to achieve 11 points in the first four games of a season, accomplishing this in 2021-22.
The Rangers’ recent victories have come against the Red Wings, showcasing effective special teams play. They converted 3 of 4 power-play opportunities and successfully killed 4 of 5 penalties, managing to withstand a 42-second five-on-three disadvantage early in the game. Rangers coach Peter Laviolette expressed satisfaction with how the team handled early challenges. Panarin contributed significantly during power plays, scoring two goals and assisting on another.
Vincent Trocheck, who had a goal and three assists, praised Panarin’s impact on their power play, highlighting how his presence creates opportunities for the team.
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs seek to extend their winning streak to four games following a 6-2 win against the Los Angeles Kings. Captain Auston Matthews made headlines by recording his first three points of the season, including his 200th home goal—making him the fourth player in franchise history to reach that milestone, joining the ranks of Darryl Sittler, Dave Keon, and Mats Sundin. Matthews became the quickest active player to achieve 200 home goals in just 279 games.
Teammate Bobby McMann noted that Matthews thrives in the familiarity of home games. McMann, who scored twice on Wednesday, has formed a productive line with Max Domi and William Nylander. Nylander also contributed with a goal and an assist, indicating that the newly formed line is delivering valuable offensive momentum.
In terms of goaltending, Joseph Woll has yet to play this season but is recovering from groin tightness, focusing on his return to support the team.
