The strong gust of wind blowing from the MSG Training Center was essentially a huge sigh of relief from the New York Rangers. This was due to the return of superstar forward to practice, just two days after suffering a lower-body injury during a 6-4 preseason victory over the New York Islanders.
He logged 14 shifts and played for 11 minutes and 58 seconds against the Islanders before leaving the game in the third period and not returning. The 32-year-old, who recorded 120 points last season, missed practice on previous occasions.
During his media session , Rangers coach Peter Laviolette expressed optimism that he could participate in at least one more preseason game before the regular season begins on October 9. Although he did not skate with the main group for the matchup against the Boston Bruins on, his return to practice suggests he will likely take part in at least one more exhibition game. He affirmed this after practice when speaking with reporters.
He prepares for the 2024-25 season after setting NHL career highs with 49 goals and 120 points last season. His point total ranked fourth in the league and was the second highest in Rangers history, only behind Jaromir Jagr’s 123-point season in 2005-06.
He was one of three potential injury concerns for the Rangers. Filip Chytil also had Rangers fans anxious when he suffered an apparent leg injury after a hit from Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield. The 25-year-old had to be assisted off the ice, unable to put weight on his left leg, but he later returned to the game. Chytil went on to score a goal in the third period, helping the Rangers come back from a 4-1 deficit.
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Of greater concern is the injury to defenseman Ryan Lindgren, who stepped in to defend Chytil after the hit. Lindgren is expected to be out for “at least a few weeks” due to an upper-body injury sustained during the fight.
Fortunately, the Rangers won’t be without Panarin at the start of the season. To replicate last season’s success, when they captured the Presidents’ Trophy with a franchise-record 114 points, they need Panarin to be in top form.
Although Panarin won’t be playing against the Bruins, he has three more opportunities to prepare for the regular season during the preseason. Following Thursday’s game, the Rangers will face the New Jersey Devils on back-to-back days, September 30 and October 1, before concluding their preseason schedule on October 4 against the Islanders.
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