Artemi time? Panarin-led Rangers show limitless potential as they begin NHL playoffs with Game 1 win over Capitals

O guards had a sensational boost on his fourth line on Sunday afternoon in their Game 1 victory over the Washington Capitalsincluding some joyful love from the Garden crowd for Matt Rempe and significant contributions from Barclay Goodrow It is Jimmy Vesey.

It’s definitely a good narrative and some fun chants – Rempe heard his name a lot, especially after becoming the first Ranger since Matt Gilroy in 2011 to score a goal in his first career playoff game. Rempe summed up the feeling like this, throwing a bouquet to the 18,006 present:

“Oh, I love them,” the 21-year-old said. “They are the best. Singing all night. I love them so much. I can’t thank them enough.”

But it says here that the biggest thing in the Blueshirts’ 4-1 win didn’t come from the epic contributions of the guys you normally count on primarily to work with. It was the second goal of the game, scored 33 seconds after Rempe started the scoring in the second half. That’s when Artemi Panarin hit Washington’s goalie with a wrist shot Charlie Lindgren.

That means Panarin, who rocketed the Rangers to their best regular season ever, is officially off to a fast start in these playoffs. That could be crucial for a player who was in agony last year after nearly disappearing in the Blueshirts’ first-round loss to the Devils. Panarin managed two miserable assists in that series.

Panarin hasn’t scored a playoff goal since Game 4 of the 2021-22 Eastern Conference finals in Tampa Bay. He now has 17 playoff goals in 58 games.

If there were any lingering psychic burdens for Panarin outside of the Devils series, perhaps this quick goal in this series would banish it. And Panarin is unblocked, well watch out, Caps and the rest of the NHL. Artemi time, anyone?

Panarin was by far Rangers’ best player this season, a goal machine who decided to shoot more and fired when it paid off. He was excellent during the 82-game schedule, playing every night and finishing fifth in goals (49) and assists (71) and fourth in points (120). He ranked fourth in 5-on-5 goals (38), a Ranger bogeyman.

After that, Panarin wasn’t a big topic of conversation in the locker room, even after his big goal. He recognized the importance of getting contributions from all corners of the lineup.

“Everyone – score goals, block shots, intercept, run. Everyone contributes,” Panarin said through a translator.

Panarin also praised a check for Alexis Lafrenière this helped free up the puck for his goal.

And Panarin loved Rempe’s goal as much as everyone else there.

“It was fantastic,” said Panarin. “The fans were going crazy. We on the bench were ecstatic. It was great to see that. Such an important goal.”

Rempe received a lot of attention post-game, as well as during the game. His physical style and willingness to fight have endeared him to Ranger fans and he may have to fight with Thomas Wilson at some point in this series, especially since Washington’s heavyweight and his teammates were so physical in Game 1. So were the Rangers.

“He shows up every night for the team and it’s great to see him score that goal,” Vesey said of Rempe. “And it was a big goal in the game, obviously. You know, the expression on his face was really cool too.

Rempe appreciated the contribution.

“I know my game,” he said. “I know I can skate well, be physical. I’m ready for the playoffs.”

In a big night for the bottom six forwards, Vesey also had a goal and an assist and Goodrow had two assists. Kaapo Kakko also hit a shot off the post in the third period. If the grinders are this impactful during the playoffs, the Rangers will be a very tough exit.

Panarin can do that for them too. The Rangers need him perhaps more than any other player besides Igor Shesterkin, the goalie who stopped 20 of 21 shots. Shesterkin became the sixth goaltender in NHL history to allow two or fewer goals in 10 consecutive home playoff games.

Panarin started the season well and finished well, scoring points in each of the last 13 games – 11 goals and 15 assists. It turned into something wonderful. You may have heard that the Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy during the regular season, finishing with the most points in the NHL and setting several franchise records along the way.

Now Panarin has also started the playoffs with a bang. If he keeps this up, if it’s truly Artemi’s time, there’s no limit to where the Rangers can go.