Bread and circuses: how Panarin first designed poker and overcame the bar of 200 goals in the NHL

Until today, the season in the NHL has not been the best for Artemy Panarin.

In terms of performance, the leader of the Rangers did not demonstrate his usual indicators and hardly scored an average of one point per game, and in terms of implementation, he even gave out the worst regular season in his career.

If in recent years he has consistently converted at least 12% of his shots into goals, this time he did not even reach 10%.

In this regard, one of the brightest hockey players of recent years was not included in the top 20 top scorers in the league, and he did not even get into the top 100 in terms of goals scored.

But everything changed after leaving for North Carolina, during which the Russian gave one of the most striking performances in his life.

At first, everything developed according to the usual scenario.

At the 14th minute, Panarin traditionally entered the majority special team and organized a combination that ended with an accurate throw by Miki Zibanejad.

It was his pass to Chris Kreider, who was located on the penny, that helped confuse the opponent's defense and disorientate the goalkeeper, creating an ideal opportunity for the Swede to excel.

He, though not without difficulty, took advantage of it and brought the Rangers forward.

True, by the middle of the second period, the position of the guests has deteriorated markedly.

Carolina responded with two accurate hits, and in the second case, another Russian showed assistant skills, having problems completing attacks.

Andrey Svechnikov in the 16th match in a row could not hit the opponent's goal, but he took part in the goal of Esperi Kotkaniemi.

After that, Panarin came to the fore and did not leave it until the final siren.

Two minutes before the second break, he blew through Frederik Andersen and broke the "dry" streak that had lasted since mid-January.

And in the debut of the third period, he scored the first double of the season.

In both cases, former Hurricanes forward Vincent Trochek, who defended the colors of the team from 2020 to 2022, helped him excel.

Panarin saved the most “delicious” for the end of the match.

First, he picked up the puck left unattended and distinguished himself after a solo pass, forcing the fans to throw on the ice not only the caps, traditional in this case, but also a loaf of bread (a reference to the nickname of the Russian).

And with 64 seconds left in the game, he made an irresistible roundhouse throw.

And although in the interval between these events, Kaapo Kakko, who hit the empty net, lit his name on the scoreboard, Artemy was in the center of attention exclusively.

The leader of the "Rangers" designed poker and deservedly received the title of the first star of the first meeting, and then the whole game day.

Thus, Panarin set several achievements at once.

He pioneered poker in the NHL and became the first Rangers player in 22 years to do so on the road.

The last time this bar was submitted to Radek Dvorak.

In addition, Artemy scored five points in one meeting for the fourth time in his career.

Since his debut in the league, only five athletes have succeeded more often - Nathan McKinnon, Jonathan Huberdeau, Brad Marchand (five each), Leon Draisaitl (six) and Connor McDavid (eight).

Panarin also improved his position in the list of the best domestic snipers in the history of the NHL.

The Rangers forward cleared the 200-goal mark and took 17th place in the rankings with 203 shots.

Left behind and Valery Kamensky, and Sweeney Shriner - the first league hockey player who was born in Russia.

Born in Saratov in 1911, Toth moved to Canada at an early age and subsequently played 11 seasons in the North American Championship.

Curiously, even Panarin himself could not explain how he managed to give out one of the brightest matches since the transition to the overseas championship.

And to some extent it really seems surprising.

Especially in light of the fact that he spent most of the confrontation in an unusual combination for himself.

He started in a trio with Zibanejad and Vladimir Tarasenko, but was then moved to Trochek and Jimmy Vesey.

And suddenly this move by Gerard Gallan worked.

While efficient partners did all the dirty work, Artemy was free to create and used it perfectly.

Of course, this success of Panarin is rather a lucky coincidence and does not mean that in the near future he will develop cruising speed in terms of scoring points.

But this benefit helped him to noticeably correct the statistics: if even the day before he went to 85 points for the regular season, which would have been the worst result for him since playing for Columbus (the shortened season 2020/21 does not count), now he is already counting at 91.

Moreover, this February may well become the brightest in Panarin's career.

So far, he's only surpassed 1.2 points per game once this month, but now he has every chance of doing it again.

At the moment, he has four goals and five passes in four meetings - more than any of his competitors.

The closest pursuers are Arizona's Clayton Keller and Florida's Matthew Tkachuk (both with seven points).

If the Russian continues in the same vein, he will not only return to the top scorers in the NHL, but will also receive a charge in anticipation of the start of the playoffs, in which the Rangers will expect the highest results.

Last year, they reached the conference finals, where they lost to the current champion in the face of Tampa Bay, and this year they have become stronger.

Young Kakko and Alexi Lafrenier continue to progress, and in addition to Trochek, Tarasenko, who has winning experience in the playoffs, joined the team.

And although Igor Shesterkin is not as great as a year ago, the chances of New Yorkers for the first time since 2014 to get into the Stanley Cup final are more than high.

However, in this regard, much will depend on Panarin.

In particular, will he be able to finally overcome the crisis and avoid recessions during the playoffs.

Last season, he looked impressive, but at a key moment he could not show his best side.

In his final two matches against the Lightning, he scored no points and received a fair amount of criticism from the fans.