A look at Artemi Panarin’s top 5 goals this season

47 games into this season, New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin has 13 goals on the season.  With 39 assists it is no secret that Panarin is more of an assist guy, but in this piece I will be looking at his goals. It was tough to narrow it down to the top five, but let’s see if you agree with my picks.

Number Five

On November 13th, 2021, the Rangers faced off against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Columbus, Ohio. Panarin scored on a wrist shot at 8:15 of the second period to give the Rangers the lead. Panarin is in perfect position, all alone in between the faceoff circles, just waiting for a pass and he got it from Ryan Strome. Many may think it’s not the best goal Panarin has ever scored, but for this season, it’s made my top five.

Number Four

The Rangers played the Thanksgiving Showdown against the Boston Bruins in Boston on Black Friday. Once again, Panarin gave the Rangers the lead, at 11:35 of the third period. The goal was assisted by Julian Gauthier and Strome. Gauthier makes a great cross ice pass to Strome who shoots the puck right at the net. Panarin being in perfect position (as usual) tips the puck right into the net as he passes in front. He sure makes it look easy, doesn’t he?

Number Three

Saturday night hockey. Original Six. At The Garden. Nothing better. The Rangers hosted the Chicago Blackhawks on December 4th. If you watch this goal, the entire play may blow your mind. Celebrating with his usual leg kick celly, Panarin’s goal was assisted by Strome and Jacob Trouba. Off a  perfect pass from Panarin, Strome misses the open net, but gets the puck back to Panarin who buries it in the back of the net.

Number Two

One of the first games of the season on October 18th, the Rangers were in Toronto for their first long road trip of 2021-2022. Panarin scores at 3:18 of overtime to seal a Rangers victory. Mika Zibanejad assisted on this one. He makes a pass to Panarin right off the face-off and Panarin beats Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell with a solid wrist shot. The celebration is self explanatory.

Number One

On December 29th, the Rangers were in Florida to play the Panthers for their second to last game of 2021. At 11:08 of the first period, Panarin scored to once again, give his team the first lead of the game. After passing it to himself through the legs, he scores on a backhand shot. After the game, he said he saw the kids do the between the legs move at the World Junior Championship and he wanted to try it. This goal was assisted by Strome and Trouba, The entire play leading up to this goal is picture perfect and it is obvious why I have this as the number one goal scored by Panarin so far.

If you watch all of Panarin’s goals this season, you will notice that most of them have either been scored right off the face-off or from the left side of the net. You can also see that Strome and Panarin are a match made in heaven. They are like bread and butter. However, with only 13 goals, Panarin is headed for his lowest career total. By looking at these five goals, it’s obvious that he is as good a goal scorer as a set up man. Hopefully, by the end of the season, we will see many more goals for Breadman.