The New York Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-2 on Friday night as the team’s big guns came to play.
The game couldn’t have started any more perfectly for the Rangers. Artemi Panarin scored two goals in the first period, including one on the power play where he ripped the puck top shelf coming downhill through a sea of defenders.
Panarin completed the hat trick in the second period, which propelled the Rangers to a commanding 4-1 lead.
On the season, Panarin now has five goals, six assists and 11 points in four games.
“He’s pretty much always on,” Vincent Trocheck said via The New York Post’s Mollie Walker. “There’s really nothing that you’ve got to look for to know, you just can see it on the ice.”
Trocheck chipped in with four points of his own on the night, assisting on all three of Panarin’s goals.
The Rangers’ stars were on full display, but rookie defenseman Victor Mancini also had a moment that he’ll never forget. Mancini scored his first career NHL goal towards the end of the second period, continuing his under the radar yet impressive start to the year.
Jonathan Quick made his season debut and stood tall making 29 saves on 31 shots while recording a .935 save percentage.
The Rangers are now 3-0-1 on the season with their next game being on Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
