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5 biggest surprises halfway through the season

By Steve Paulus

Mar 6, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New York Rangers right wing Pavel Buchnevich (89) celebrates a goal by defenseman Libor Hajek (25) (not pictured) during the second period of their game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New York Rangers right wing Pavel Buchnevich (89) celebrates a goal by defenseman Libor Hajek (25) (not pictured) during the second period of their game against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) and defenseman Anthony Bitetto (22)Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) and defenseman Anthony Bitetto (22)Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Surprise #3 – Panarin’s leave

This was an event that shocked everyone in the hockey world.  It came out of nowhere and disrupted the Rangers’ season.  An unfounded allegation from a discredited source threatened to derail the entire season (and still may).

There’s no doubt that when Panarin is on he is the difference maker.  His talent and enthusiasm are infectious.  Since joining the Rangers, when Panarin has been out of the lineup the team has won only four of 12 games.

When he departed, he was the team’s leading scorer and one of the top scorers in the NHL. He had three goals and 12 points in his previous eight games. He was the catalyst for a sputtering offense and his importance was demonstrated when he returned to play and scored three goals and seven points in five games.


Artemi Panarin ended up missing nine games. The Rangers went 4-5 without him.   Could he have made a difference in the losses?  Absolutely.  If the team misses the playoffs by two or three points, remember the name Andrei Nazarov as the man who destroyed a season.

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