The New York Rangers have plenty on the line on Monday night. Former player Artemi Panarin will make his return to Broadway since his departure earlier this season. It was an inevitable event. And it’s a good thing both sides will get it out of the way now.
The drama that surrounded the Rangers-Kings trade ahead of the Olympics left plenty of bitterness on both sides. The Blueshirts, for their part, seemed to have moved on pretty quickly.
Panarin, however, doesn’t seem quite so forgiving. The Russian star has made plenty of comments after the fact, clearly pointing out he remains unhappy about the way things played out.
It’s kind of like a couple breaking up, with social media becoming the post-breakup jousting grounds. Only in this case, it’s not social media, but the regular media that has been the battleground.
That’s why the best thing the Rangers can do at this point is hand the Kings a loss. It isn’t just about playing for pride. It’s about showing that, despite ill feelings, this isn’t personal. The action on the ice is all business.
The only way this issue goes away is if the Rangers can play a solid game, handing Panarin and the Kings a lesson about playing hockey.
Rangers Looking to Continue Building on Winning Streak
All of a sudden, the Rangers have won four in a row and are 6-2-2 in their last 10. While the surge is certainly a little too late, the club has been putting its best foot forward.
One of the major reasons for the streak has been Igor Shesterkin’s player. In his last five games, he’s 4-0-1, with the last four games being fantastic outings.
Shesterkin’s last appearance was a 46-save performance in which the Rangers beat the Minnesota Wild 4-2. The Blueshirts had a 4-1 lead heading into the third period, and managed to hold on despite being outshot 21-1 in the final frame.
That has been the story of the Rangers’ season. Shesterkin has been the main reason keeping the team afloat. Without him, the club has sunk. With him in the lineup, they’ve had a chance to win.
Hopefully, the club can rally around its superstar netminder and build some positives as the season continues to wind down.
Looking Towards the Offseason
The offseason will come earlier for the Rangers than for other clubs. That means looking towards the NHL Draft and free agency. There will also be plenty of offseason talk surrounding some key players.
As such, Rangers fans will have plenty to think about this summer. The team will certainly be looking to make improvements as a return to the postseason might not be entirely out of the question in 2026-27. It all depends on the consistency in front of Shesterkin.
As long as the Rangers’ starting goaltender continues to play like a world-beater, the Blueshirts might just have a chance to get back into the playoff picture next year.
Rangers Have Plenty on the Line in Panarin Return