The NHL has announced that Artemi Panarin has been named First Star of the week:
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. 8 and a 6-3 win versus the Seattle Kraken Feb. 10. He capped the week by scoring a career-high four goals (including a natural hat trick that featured the game-winner) and matching a personal best with five points (last achieved March 12, 2022 at DAL: 1-4—5) in a 6-2 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes Feb. 11. The 31-year-old Panarin, who also eclipsed 200 career goals on Saturday (203-425—628 in 561 GP), tops New York with 16-43—59 through 53 total games this season. He also places among the League leaders in assists (9th; 43), power-play assists (10th; 19) and points (20th; 59).