The New York Rangers enjoyed a remarkable week, securing victories in all three of their games and outscoring their opponents 13-4.
Leading the charge was star left winger Artemi Panarin, who had an outstanding week, amassing four goals and four assists for a total of eight points across three games. His standout performance came in a 5-2 victory against the Detroit Red Wings, where he achieved his eighth career hat trick and added an assist, propelling the Rangers to a significant road win. Following this impressive display, the NHL recognized Panarin as its second star of the week on Monday.
Panarin joined the Rangers in 2019 on a seven-year contract worth $81.5 million ($11.64 million AAV), establishing himself as one of the league’s highest-paid players. From a production standpoint, he has exceeded expectations.
In his 677 games with the Rangers, the Russian sensation has netted 271 goals and 522 assists, totaling 793 points, consistently maintaining over a point-per-game average each season. Last season, he set new career records with 49 goals and 71 assists, contributing to New York’s President’s Trophy win. This season, he has made history as the first Ranger to start with four consecutive multi-point games, continuing his strong performance.
However, a significant criticism of both Panarin and the Rangers is their struggles in the postseason. He has noticeably underperformed in the playoffs, with just 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points in 46 games. While the Rangers have reached the Eastern Conference Final twice with him on the team, they have yet to capture their first Stanley Cup in over 30 years.
This season may be the Rangers’ final opportunity to win the championship with their current roster, and for that to happen, they will need Panarin to maintain his exceptional play.
