The NHL announced on Monday that New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin was the first star of the week ending February 12.
“It’s well deserved for sure,” Gerard Gallant said after practice in Vancouver.
Panarin, who made his first All-Star Game appearance in South Florida, led the NHL with 4-5-9 in four contests to propel the Rangers (31-14-8, 70 points) to a perfect week and their fifth straight win dating to Jan. 27. He collected two assists in a 5-4 overtime victory against the Calgary Flames Feb. 6. Panarin then registered one helper in both a 4-3 triumph over the Vancouver Canucks Feb.