Rangers injury update: Artemi Panarin returns to practice
That gust of wind coming from the MSG Training Center on Thursday was simply the massive sigh of relief from the New York Rangers. That’s because superstar forward Artemi Panarin practiced, two days after sustaining a lower-body injury in a 6-4 preseason win against the New York Islanders.
Panarin played 14 shifts for 11:58 against the Islanders. He left the game in the third period and didn’t return. The 32-year-old, who had 120 points last season, did not practice Wednesday.
When he spoke with the media Wednesday, Rangers coach Peter Laviolette was hopeful that Panarin would be able to play at least one more preseason game before the start of the regular season on Oct. 9. While he did not skate with the game group for the tilt Thursday night against the Boston Bruins, his return to practice indicates that he will likely be able to participate in at least one more exhibition game.
Panarin confirmed as much with reporters after practice.
Panarin gears up for the 2024-25 season after establishing NHL career highs with 49 goals and 120 points last season. That point total was fourth most in the League last season and second highest in Rangers history, behind Jaromir Jagr’s 123-point campaign in 2005-06.
Related: Rangers vs. Bruins: 3 things to watch for in preseason clash at MSG
Rangers avoid 2 of 3 injury scares
Panarin was one of three potential Rangers injuries on Tuesday. Filip Chytil also had Ranger fans holding their breath when he went down with an apparent leg injury following a hit from Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield. The 25-year-old was helped off the ice, unable to put pressure on his left leg, but returned to the game. Chytil then scored a third-period goal to help the Rangers erase a 4-1 deficit.
More concerning is the injury to defenseman Ryan Lindgren, who fought in defense of Chytil following the hit. Lindgren is out “at least a few weeks” with an upper-body injury after the fight.
Fortunately, the Rangers are not losing Panarin for the start of the season. If they want to replicate last season, when they claimed the Presidents’ Trophy with a franchise-record 114 points, they need Panarin to be 100 percent healthy.
While Panarin won’t be suiting up against the Bruins, he’ll have three more chances to get himself game-ready in the preseason. After Thursday, the Rangers will play back-to-back days Sep. 30 and Oct. 1 against the New Jersey Devils, before wrapping up their preseason schedule Oct. 4 against the Islanders.
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