NYR: Three stars of the week 10/7 - 10/13

The New York Rangers 2024-25 season has gotten underway. With two games in the books this week, let's look at the three stars of the week for the Blueshirts.

Games Played:

✪✪✪ Third Star: Igor Shesterkin

The third star of the week goes to goaltender Igor Shesterkin. You cannot differentiate the two games played this week. The first game of the season showcased Shesterkin standing on his head for a 29-save shutout, and then opening night at Madison Square Garden featured six goals allowed.

For Shesterkin, the saving grace here to be on this list besides the obvious shutout in game one against Pittsburgh, is that the Utah Hockey Club will probably be the best offensive team in the NHL. They were attacking him from all angles, and even though he let it quite a few soft ones, he also made as many miraculous saves as well.

It is still hard to ignore all of the contract drama surrounding him. Daily, new reports and rumors start circulating about his looming extension, and it has to be taking a toll on him. We will all see how well he bounces back, which he usually does after an abysmal performance like the one against Utah.

✪✪ Second Star: Will Cuylle

Right now, the most exciting line on the Rangers is that electric third line. Comprised of Filip Chytil, Kaapo Kakko, and Will Cuylle, each member has contributed mightily in their first two games of the 2024-25 season. The most impactful was our second star of the week, Cuylle.

Registering a goal and two assists, he has shown great strides in his sophomore season. With a rise in ice time already so far this season, Cuylle has made the most of it with his new linemates. It shouldn't come as a surprise if head coach Peter Laviolette switches things up with the first line, and swaps Cuylle with Reilly Smith, but the same could be said of keeping the established third line together, long-term.

✪ First Star: Artemi Panarin

"The Breadman" continues to prove that he is the absolute best signing in New York Rangers history. Panarin is the best skater on this team, and there is a far and distant gap between whoever you think would be second-best. With a pair of goals and assists, he leads the team with four points in the young season.

His best game came during Saturday night's unhinged 6-5 overtime loss against Utah. He brought the MSG crowd back to life, twice, with two different game-tying goals. Additionally, you could see just how badly he wanted that third goal, as he was strictly on a one-tract mind to get that vulcanized rubber past Utah goaltender Connor Ingram.

As the first week's first star, you should expect to see his name in this place a lot this season. Panarin is in a league of his own and should be considered as a top-five player in all of the NHL.