Artemi Panarin’s latest contribution – his 85th point – puts him in an exclusive group of Rangers players as he looks to end the best season of his career with a points total that exceeds his career best of 96 points. It was useful.
He assisted on Chris Kreider’s second-period goal in Monday’s 4-2 loss to the Panthers, recording his 50th assist of the season and reaching that mark for the third straight season.
The only other players to accomplish that are Hall of Famer Mark Messier from 1996-97 to 1998-99 and Wayne Gretzky from 1996-97 to 1998-99, according to the team.
With less than five minutes left in the second period, Panarin snatched the puck from a power-play spot along the boards, handed it to Vincent Trocheck in the middle, and deflected it into the net, where Kreider deposited the goal. He threw his arms up in the air. It bounces into the Panthers’ net.
Panarin has scored at least one point in eight of the last nine games and 10 of the 13 games since the All-Star break, totaling 19 points (5 goals, 14 assists) in that span.
His line, featuring Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere, remained the Rangers’ most productive, recording 151 dangerous chances. This reflects a blend of continuity and consistency, with lines remaining intact while injuries and shuffling define others.
And for Panarin, it helped him surpass 100 points for the first time in his NHL career.
He has already reached the age of 90 in three of the four seasons since signing with the Rangers.
He has already scored a career-high 35 goals this year.
Reaching 50 assists is once again just the latest milestone, but if everything unfolds at the same pace over the remaining 20 games, it all adds up to help Panarin, who is fifth in the NHL in points entering Tuesday’s game, look like an elusive player. It will help you reach your goals. .
“When you have guys like you, it makes you think about things like that,” Panarin said late last month when asked about his pace to break 100 points. “To be honest, I try not to think about it. There’s too much pressure.”
After Monday’s loss, Igor Shesterkin missed back-to-back starts for the first time since the All-Star break, but ended with an extended reset and practice with goaltending coach Benoit Allaire while Jonathan Quick started. .
Shesterkin posted a .953 save percentage in seven wins before losing in a shootout against the Maple Leafs on Saturday and losing in regulation two days later against the Panthers.
He hasn’t lost back-to-back games in regulation since Jan. 8 and 11, and thanks to the recent winning streak, Shesterkin’s save percentage has improved to .910 and his goals-against average has dropped to 2.67. They increased from .899 and decreased from 2.86, respectively. , he entered the All-Star break.
The Rangers have assigned forward Alex Belzile to AHL Hartford.
Although he has not appeared in a game with the Blueshirts this season, he has played in 43 games with the Wolfpack, recording 14 goals and 23 assists.
