New York Rangers ace Artemi Panarin recorded his fifth assist of the new season on Friday
Russian-born NHL star Artemi Panarin has become the first New York Rangers player to level a longstanding record, by becoming the first player to record five assists in the first three games of the seasons since both Mark Messier and Brian Leitch achieved the same feat in the 1992-93 season.
It was a bittersweet moment on Friday for the 30-year-old forward, though, as his assist for Rangers teammate Dryden Hunt was the only goal his side were able to muster in what was a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets at the Canada Life Center in Manitoba.
Panarin also has a single goal to his name in the young season, which means that, so far, the Russian international has six individual points so far in the new campaign, a total which puts him in first place in the player points table.
His hot start to the season now has him two points ahead of closest rivals Mika Zibanejb (also of the Rangers) and Martin Necas, who turns out for the Colorado Hurricanes.
🚨Goal by Dryden Hunt .. assists by Vincent Trocheck & Artemi Panarin#NYR 1 #GoJetsGo 1 P3 pic.twitter.com/CWoRkaQHVl
— Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) October 15, 2022
Panarin’s assist streak represents a return to form for the Korkino native. Three years ago he scored a career-best 32 goals in a single season to mark the third time in his first five years in the league that he had eclipsed the 30-goal mark.