Artemi Panarin’s strong play has continued lately, including on Sunday, when he notched his career-high 33rd goal in Columbus.
The 33 goals — which surpass his previous high of 32 set in 2019-20, his first season as a Ranger — came in just 59 games.
His 79 points on the year is good for fifth in the NHL.
Panarin’s current hot streak includes 11 points (two goals and nine assists) in his past six games.
He has flourished with Alexis Lafreniere on his wing this season and on Sunday, got some help from another veteran who is playing well this season.
Panarin’s goal against the Blue Jackets came on an assist from Adam Fox — who not only fed Panarin for the goal, but also made a terrific play to keep it in the zone as Columbus tried to clear it.
Igor Shesterkin was named one of the NHL’s three stars for last week, as the goalie made a league-high 119 saves and went 3-0-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average with a .975 save percentage.
Shesterkin’s recent improved play comes in what’s been an up-and-down season for the 28-year-old.
He is in the midst of a six-game winning streak in which he’s gotten some help from the offense. But over the past three games, Shesterkin has been in top form.
And his winning ways began, perhaps not coincidentally, after the team opted to give Shesterkin added time to work with goaltending coach Benoit Allaire, turning to backup Jonathan Quick around the All-Star break.
Shesterkin hasn’t lost since and his .951 save percentage over his past six games is notably better than the .899 mark he had after his first 32 games of the season.
He insisted following his last game in Philadelphia that “everything’s the same” with his game.
Except for the results.
Not that the Rangers seemed to mind their recent workload — with 10 games in 20 days from Feb. 5-25, including three games in four days concluding the loss in Columbus on Sunday that snapped their 10-game winning streak — but they will be able to catch their breath for a bit.
Beginning with Monday’s off day, the Rangers play just three times over a 12-day period, starting Wednesday when they host the Blue Jackets at the Garden.
They return to practice Tuesday.