Artemi Panarin has had the most significant impact on the New York Rangers this season, one in which he knows he needs to improve his overall game.
Flashback to game seven of the first round of the playoffs last season, a loss to the New Jersey Devils that would send the New York Rangers home much earlier than anyone had anticipated.
Artemi Panarin, coming off a 92-point regular season, managed only two assists in the seven-game series. Of all his low playoff numbers, the one glaring sore point was the category of giveaways, where the Breadman had nine.
Fast forward to the 2023-2024 campaign, Panarin has a new look (shaved his head), new linemates with Filip Chytil and Alexis Lafreniere, and a head coach who has complete confidence in the superstar forward.
Artemi Panarin’s Fast Start To The Season
Panarin has had a fast start to the season, recording at least one point in all five games this year. He looks to build on this five-game scoring streak as the team heads into a four-game Canada trip, beginning with tonight’s game in Calgary.
The Korkino, Russia native is having much fun on the ice. Following the team win in Seattle on Saturday night, where he scored two goals despite some lighting issues, he said,
“For me, I want it darker, so it’s harder for goalies. That’s why I scored two.”
Mollie Walker
Stats provided by the recently released NHL.com/Edge verify the great start Pamarin has had.
Panarin is getting himself into more shooting positions which is creating more shots on goals. He is over the 90 percentile in both shots on goal and goals scored based on his position.
League Avg. by Position Percentile
| Shots on Goal | 21 | 8 | 97 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goals | 3 | 1 | 93 |
| Shooting % | 14.3% | 10.1% | 74 |
His confidence has created more time with the puck in the offensive zone and less time with the puck in his own end, as is evident by the stats below;
League Avg. by Position Percentile
| Offensive Zone | 54.6% | 41.4% | 99 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral Zone | 17.3% | 17.9% | Below 50th |
| Defensive Zone | 28.1% | 40.6% | 99 |
The energy spreads to his teammates as Chytil and Lafreniere have found success playing alongside Panarin. Chytil recorded three assists in Saturday’s win. It was Chytil’s first three-point game of his career. Lafreniere notched his second goal of the season while averaging 15:32 on ice this season.
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Rangers’ New Head Coach Praises Panarin
Panarin has seen something new this season that is adding to his confidence. Double-shifting throughout a game.
Peter Laviolette is very open to getting Panarin more ice time, something he shared with the media on Monday.
“I think you really can appreciate what a player does when you actually coach him on a day-in, day-out basis.”
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The question of his productivity during a playoff run under Laviolette will have to wait until mid-April.
In the meantime, Panarin hopes to continue his hot start and display the consistency needed to help the Blueshirts win games.
Consistency is so important early this season, but Panarin hopes to have it throughout the entire season.
Follow Frank on X at @RangerProud
