Panarin ready for homecoming against Rangers with Kings
The Kings (27-24-15) are 3-6-1 since his arrival and enter Monday two points behind the Seattle Kraken for the second wild card into the playoffs from the West, and six behind the Edmonton Oilers, who are third in the Pacific Division. They’re averaging 3.00 goals-per game since Panarin arrived (tied for 16th in the NHL), with the power play at 23.8 percent (13th).
Before his arrival, Los Angeles was tied for 29th in goals per game (2.54) and 29th on the power play (16.0 percent).
“He’s able to make plays in tight spaces that other guys can’t,” Kings coach D.J. Smith said. “He also helps the power play, so he’s been great for our group. He’s been great for our group away from the rink, too, in the dressing room, just a fun-loving guy that loves hockey. Guys like him and guys like playing with him.”
Panarin played 482 regular-season games for the Rangers, getting 607 points (205 goals, 402 assists), which is ninth in franchise history. He led the Rangers in scoring in each of his six full seasons and led them before the trade with 57 points (19 goals, 38 assists) in 52 games.
He helped New York reach the Eastern Conference Final in 2022 and 2024. Perhaps his most famous goal was on the power play at 4:46 of overtime in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference First Round to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2022, after New York trailed the best-of-7 series 3-1.
“Probably that goal against Pittsburgh,” Panarin said. “I have a lot of good moments here, but the Pittsburgh goal was something special.”
All of that is in the past. His new task is trying to help the Kings reach the playoffs and win a postseason series for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup in 2014. They have lost six straight series since then, including each of the past four to the Oilers in the first round.
“We have a few injured guys, which are important to us,” Panarin said, “but we’re still right now fighting for the playoffs, which is a good thing and we have a great group of guys here.”
It will be weird playing against his former teammates, but Panarin is up for the task.
“I hope they’re not going to be that hard on me,” he said. “Sometimes they don’t have to backcheck that hard. I will try to focus on the game too, especially since it is emotional for me. We are fighting for the playoffs, so trying to help.”
