Artemi Panarin achieved his eighth career hat trick, helping the New York Rangers secure a 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night.
Panarin became the first player in Rangers history to have multiple points in the first four games of a season. He scored two goals on the power play. Vincent Trocheck also scored a power-play goal and assisted on all of Panarin’s goals.
Jonathan Quick made 29 saves in his season debut, and Victor Mancini added another goal.
The Rangers have now won their last five games against the Red Wings, including two this week. New York previously beat Detroit 4-1 at home on Monday night.
Moritz Seider and J.T. Compher scored for Detroit, while Red Wings goalie Cam Talbot was taken out of the game in the second period after allowing five goals.
Last season, the power play was ranked third in the league, with four players scoring at least 11 goals, including Panarin and Trocheck. This season, it looks just as strong, with Panarin leading with three power-play goals.
Detroit barely missed the playoffs last season, mostly because they were 25th in goals allowed (3.33). This season, they have started 1-3 and given up 15 goals in their losses.
The Red Wings had a 5-on-3 advantage after the Rangers received two penalties in the first six minutes. However, Detroit, which has only scored one power-play goal in 13 attempts this season, was unable to take advantage. Just over a minute after the Rangers successfully killed the penalties, Panarin scored on New York’s first shot on goal.