Rangers' Artemi Panarin has Hart Trophy candidacy surging into new year
After finishing last season with a quiet postseason showing against the rival Devils, Rangers winger Artemi Panarin had a mental reset over the offseason, which included shaving his head.
As crazy as it may seem, the fresh start appears to have worked for the 32-year-old.
The Rangers have been leading the Metropolitan Division and among the top teams in the league from the beginning of the season, and Panarin’s spectacular play has been a major reason why.
Heading into Saturday night’s game, he’d posted a spectacular 20 goals and 27 assists for a total of 47 points through 34 games. He’s also been a major catalyst on New York’s top-ranked power play unit, adding seven of those goals and 15 assists with the man advantage.
“He’s unique,” captain Jacob Trouba said. “Playing against him I remember he’s always one of the toughest guys to defend. He’s just so dynamic and shifty and he makes plays that you don’t even see and he somehow sees.
“He’s just so strong on the puck. He’s making great plays and scoring goals, he’s been a great player for us all season long.”
Panarin certainly has been an outstanding player each time he’s taken the ice this season, and that was again the case in the Rangers’ commanding 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.
The star winger and his linemates dominated play again all night, with him leading the way with the sixth hat trick of his career and his second this season. Vincent Trocheck added a goal and three assists and Alexis Lafreniere picked up two assists of his own.
“He’s really fun to play with,” Trocheck said. “It seems like he somehow continues to get better and has taken more and more steps forward, which is kind of crazy to think. He’s an outstanding hockey player and one of the best in the league.”
Panarin’s now heading into the new year riding a four-game goal scoring streak, adding seven points to his total over that span. He already has 16 multi-point games and sits among the league leaders in goals (fourth), points (third), power-play goals (third), and shots on goal (sixth).
“Honestly, after this game, I feel great,” he told Mollie Walker of the NY Post. “I don’t know what can be better than to finish the year on a high note like that. We won the game too, which is important, thanks to my partners.”
There’s still a long way to go, but Panarin’s case for the Hart Trophy seems to be growing by the day.
