5 New York Rangers Players New Jersey Devils Must Keep Quiet To Win Series

New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) ties up with New Jersey Devils defenseman Kevin Bahl (88) during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) ties up with New Jersey Devils defenseman Kevin Bahl (88) during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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New Jersey Devils
Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

3. Artemi Panarin

Artemi Panarin has been an MVP candidate for the Rangers, a superstar who jumped on the bandwagon while the Rangers were coming out of their rebuild. He’s still one of the best wingers in the league, coming off a season with 92 points. He was great this year, but he hasn’t been great in the series.

Despite the Rangers scoring 12 goals this series, Panarin has just two points. He hasn’t scored a goal in four games. He only has two assists. Both assists came in the first game. Actually, it was the first two games of the series. It’s been north of 70 minutes since Panarin recorded a point.

Panarin has had his issues this series. He gave away the puck four times but had zero takeaways. It’s probably more than that, but giveaways is a complicated stat. Panarin hasn’t been the master at handling the puck this series, especially in two games at MSG.

It just takes one goal to get Panarin going. He’s still steeped in his prime. Once a goal comes, they could come in bunches. The Devils can’t compete with bunches of goals when the goalie on the other side is Shesterkin. Panarin is still a superstar that the Devils have to spend a lot of time focusing on.