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 The Russia native recorded his first career hat trick, which
included a tie-breaking goal with three minutes remaining, as the
Chicago Blackhawks rallied for a 5-3 victory in a back-and-forth
affair with the New York Rangers.
The 24-year-old Panarin is the front-runner for the Calder Trophy.
He leads all rookies in goals (22) and points (57) in a season when
many expected 2015 top picks Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers
and Jack Eichel of the Buffalo Sabres to be vying for Calder honors.
Panarin has been a godsend for the Blackhawks. He is second on the
team in scoring behind right winger Patrick Kane, filling the void
after the team lost left wingers Patrick Sharp and Brandon Saad as
salary-cap casualties during the offseason.
"He's been great for us," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said.
"The consistency, the power play, the puck-possession game. From day
one, he's been fun to watch."
"He's a special player," said Kane, who had the primary assist on
the game-winning power-play goal. "He's got a good shot. He's good
with the puck. It's good to see him get rewarded for his good play
too. He's been a great fit for us. He's one of those players that's
maybe exceeded some expectations coming in. Great find by the
organization. We're happy to have him here."
The Blackhawks (38-18-5) have won two straight games. The reigning
Stanley Cup champions will have their meeting with President Barack
Obama at the White House on Thursday morning before heading to
Minneapolis to play the Minnesota Wild in an outdoor game at TCF
Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus Sunday.
This will mark the third straight year the Blackhawks take part in
an outdoor game.
"It's good for us to get away from the game and do some different
things," Kane said. "We're able to do that tomorrow just by going to
the White House and being able to meet the President and be part of
that whole ceremony."
"I'm sure Minnesota will be sky high about playing in that game as
well," Quenneville said. "It's a privilege to play in games like
that."
Through the first half of the game, it appeared the Blackhawks would
meet little resistance before heading into their White House
coronation and outdoor game break.
Left winger Andrew Desjardins put the Blackhawks ahead 1-0 at the
3:30 mark of the first period and Panarin's first of two power-play
goals at 10:05 of the second period extended the lead to 2-0.
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Rangers center and former Blackhawk Kevin Hayes cut the lead in half
less than four minutes later after left winger Oscar Lindberg set
him up with a perfect pass from behind the goal line.
The Rangers (32-19-6) took a 3-2 lead early in the third period on
power-play goals by center Derick Brassard and defenseman Dan Boyle,
who both scored while right winger Vincent Hinostroza was serving a
four-minute penalty for high sticking.
The Rangers' lead would not last, as left winger Andrew Shaw made it
3-3 with another power-play goal at 9:53, setting the stage for
Panarin's winner and empty-net goal with 1:11 remaining.
"We played a good game," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. "We
outshot them (34-20) and out-chanced them. Unfortunately, on our PK,
we made three bad reads and the puck ended up in the back of the
net."
"I have to come up with the extra save," Rangers goaltender Henrik
Lundqvist said. "When we are good, we are reading off one another.
Together, we need to figure this one out. It's not one guy, it's not
two; it's four plus me that need to figure it out and get better."
NOTES: Blackhawks RW Marian Hossa (lower body) is expected to miss a
couple weeks. ... Blackhawks D Erik Gustafsson took the spot of D
Viktor Svedberg after missing the past two games. ... Rangers D Ryan
McDonagh returned after missing four games with a concussion. ...
Rangers LW Rick Nash missed his 10th consecutive game with a bone
bruise in his leg. ... Rangers D Marc Staal was absent from the
lineup and did not take part in warmups. He and his wife are
expecting their second child Wednesday.
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