Artemi Panarin started the season off hot. He was putting up points and he looked like the Panarin of old. While the points are still coming, they are not coming as often and his play looks more sloppy in recent weeks than it was at the start of the season. The lack of 5v5 scoring from the Rangers has also hurt his game. A combination of these factors has left fans wanting more from the $11 million breadman.
Panarin currently has 23 points in 21 games played. However, he has not scored a goal in his past eleven games. His last goal came on his birthday, October 30, versus the Arizona Coyotes. Almost a month has passed since he scored a goal and it is hurting this team. He has had his fair share of chances and has hit many posts, but if the Rangers want to improve their even-strength scoring, they need Panarin to light the lamp more consistently.
Panarin also gets many points on the power-play. The power-play has been more consistent recently, but they still do go through their dry spells. They could not convert against the league-worst Anaheim Ducks penalty kill and that cost them the game. Panarin has 12 of his 23 points on the man advantage, but when they go through stretches of not converting, his play suffers the most. He is tied for first in power-play assists and the Rangers need him to find his magic in order for them to succeed.
To try and help Panarin, Gerard Gallant is putting him on a line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. By putting all of his top guns together, he is hoping that a spark will go off and that all of them will start to contribute at a higher level. They have all struggled at even strength and the Rangers need them to up their game. They are paid top money because they are the top players. They need to start scoring more and hopefully, they can by playing together.
While it has been far from a disappointing first quarter of the season for Panarin, everyone knows he has more to give. This stretch of eleven games is one that will not last. If Panarin can get back to the way he was playing at the start of the year, it will greatly help the Rangers improve their all-around game and it will give Panarin the confidence he needs to be the superstar we all know he is.