Rangers crisis averted, Artemi Panarin set to play in season opener against Penguins

NHL: Buffalo Sabres at New York Rangers
Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

It appears the New York Rangers have avoided an early-season crisis with word from Artemi Panarin that he is healthy and good to go on opening night against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday at PPG Paints Arena.

Panarin practiced with the Rangers on Monday, assuming his usual spots on a line with Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere, and on New York’s top power-play unit. Afterward the star forward told reporters he expects to play against the Penguins.

Coach Peter Laviolette was a bit more cautious about Panarin, who had been skating on his own after sustaining a lower-body injury last week in a preseason game against the New Jersey Devils.

“We’re still a couple days out on that (opening night), but what you saw is exactly what happened — he made it through the practice today without any issues and that’s a positive,” Laviolette said after practice.

Panarin appeared in two preseason games and left each early because of a lower-body issue. The most recent was last Tuesday, when he skated four shifts in the first period before heading to the dressing room and not returning. Brennan Othmann skated in Panarin’s place in the preseason finale against the Islanders on Friday. Rookie Brett Berard was in his spot at practice Sunday.

But the 32-year-old stud was back out there Monday and in good spirits. After he scored 49 goals and finished fourth in the NHL with 120 points last season, the Rangers don’t want Panarin to miss a single game, if possible, this season.

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Ryan Lindgren, Jimmy Vesey likely out for Rangers against Penguins

NHL: Preseason-New York Rangers at Boston Bruins
Brett Berard — Eric Canha-Imagn Images

As expected, the news is not as good with injured defenseman Ryan Lindgren and forward Jimmy Vesey. Lindgren (upper body) did skate again by himself before practice, but is not expected to play Wednesday. Vesey (lower body) has yet to resume skating.

“I don’t think anything’s changed,” Laviolette said. “‘Lindy’ was out on the ice again today and Jimmy has not yet. I don’t think anything has changed with where those guys are at.”

Mika Zibanejad didn’t practice Monday because of a maintenance day. Berard was the placeholder on his line with Chris Kreider and Reilly Smith. Jonny Brodzinski slotted in for Zibanejad when the PP1 unit, that featured Panarin back in the fold, practiced.

It’s not known how much longer Berard will remain with the Rangers before likely being sent back down to Hartford of the American Hockey League, but Laviolette had some positive things to say about the 22-year-old.

“He made an impression on everybody,” Laviolette explained. “It’s the way he works, the way he competes. You see him out here mixed in with the full NHL team and he looks really good. It’s his speed, his tenacity, his ability to make plays.”

The Rangers have one more practice before flying to Pittsburgh on Tuesday afternoon. After facing the Penguins, they return for their home opener at Madison Square Garden on Saturday against the Utah Hockey Club.

Jim Cerny is Executive Editor at Forever Blueshirts and Managing Editor at Sportsnaut, with more than 30 years of... More about Jim Cerny

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