The 25-year-old Chicago Blackhawks winger scored the shootout game-winner in Russia’s 2-1 victory over Sweden in the team’s opening game at the tournament at LANXESS Arena in Cologne, Germany.
It’s the third straight Worlds appearance for Panarin, who has won silver and bronze the last two years. He has now scored 26 points at the Worlds, which includes 10 and 15 points at the last two Worlds.
Panarin’s Chicago teammate Marcus Kruger did not record a point for Sweden in the loss. The forward has won four medals at the senior level for Sweden, including silver twice at the 2011 Worlds and 2014 Olympics.