Rangers Rolling: Panarin’s Surge, Zibanejad’s Power, and a Night to Remember at MSG
The New York Rangers are doing more than just winning hockey games right now - they’re putting together a season that’s got a little bit of everything: star power, grit, and heart. Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden won’t just be about the action on the ice when the Rangers host the Dallas Stars - it’s also “Garden of Dreams Night,” a special evening that highlights the team’s connection to the community. But while the spotlight will shine on some inspiring young faces off the ice, the Rangers' core is giving fans plenty to cheer for on it.
Garden of Dreams Night: Hockey Meets Heart
Before we dive into the numbers, let’s talk about the vibe at MSG this Tuesday. The Rangers are teaming up with the Garden of Dreams Foundation to give young people from the organization a chance to take center stage.
From singing the national anthem to stepping in as honorary PA announcers and Blue Crew members, these kids will be woven into the night’s festivities. One young person from Make-A-Wish Metro NY will even join the team on the ice as an honorary Ranger when the starting lineup is announced - a moment that’s sure to bring the house down before the puck even drops.
Panarin’s Point Parade
Let’s get into the hockey, and we have to start with Artemi Panarin. The Breadman is cooking - and then some.
Panarin is tied for the team lead in points (26), second in both goals (8) and assists (18), and he's been on a heater lately, racking up 19 points in his last 13 games. That stretch includes six goals and 13 helpers, and it’s not just volume - it’s impact. Since November 7, he’s tied for third in the league in points and sits fourth in assists over that span.
Zoom out a bit, and the numbers get even more impressive. Since entering the league in 2015-16, Panarin ranks fourth in assists (586) and fifth in points (896) among all NHL skaters. He’s also just four points shy of hitting the 900-point milestone - a testament to his consistency and elite playmaking over the last decade.
Since the start of the 2023-24 season, he’s posted 235 points (94 goals, 141 assists), good for sixth in the NHL. He’s registered points in 137 of his last 189 games - again, sixth-most in the league over that span. Simply put: Panarin doesn’t just show up - he produces.
Zibanejad’s Power Play Prowess
While Panarin’s been dishing and scoring at an elite level, Mika Zibanejad is doing what he does best - lighting the lamp, especially on the power play.
Zibanejad leads the Rangers in goals (9), including a team-high six on the man advantage. He’s also third in assists (10) and total points (19). He’s riding a three-game point streak (2G, 2A), and over his last six games, he’s tallied seven points.
His power play numbers are among the league’s best - those six PPGs are tied for eighth in the NHL this season. Since the start of the 2024-25 campaign, he leads the Rangers with 13 power play goals and ranks second in power play points with 28.
And when you look at his career numbers, the milestones keep stacking up. His 126 career power play goals are tied for the fifth most by a Swedish-born player in NHL history.
He’s just two away from tying the Rangers’ all-time record of 116. On top of that, he recently hit 600 career points as a Ranger - only the eighth player in franchise history to do so.
Trocheck Doing the Dirty Work
Vincent Trocheck may not always grab the headlines, but he’s been a difference-maker since returning from injury on November 10.
In the 11 games since his return, Trocheck has put up 10 points (5G, 5A) and notched three multi-point efforts. He’s been especially strong in the faceoff circle - a crucial, often overlooked part of the game.
Since the start of the 2024-25 season, he ranks fourth in the NHL in faceoff percentage (58.7%) among players with at least 1,000 draws. His 1,039 faceoff wins in that span are sixth in the league.
He’s the kind of player every contender needs - reliable, physical, and tough to play against.
Miller’s All-Around Impact
J.T. Miller is doing a little bit of everything for this Rangers squad. He leads the team in faceoff wins (222), ranks third in hits (59), is tied for third in goals (7), and sits in the top six in both assists (7) and points (14).
He’s also heating up lately, with five points (3G, 2A) in his last five games. Among NHL skaters with at least 350 faceoffs this season, his 58.6% win rate ranks fifth. Since the start of 2024-25, he’s sixth in faceoff percentage (58.3%) among players with 1,000+ faceoffs.
Miller’s value isn’t just in the numbers - it’s in the way he plays. He brings physicality, wins key draws, and contributes offensively. That’s the kind of versatility that coaches love and opponents hate.
Cuylle’s Physical Presence
Will Cuylle might be one of the most underrated contributors on the Rangers right now. He leads the team in hits (92) - sixth most in the NHL - and is tied for third on the team in goals (7). He’s also second in power play goals (3) and ranks fourth in total points (14).
Cuylle has recorded a point in three of his last four games and has 14 points over his last 18 contests. And here’s a fun stat: the Rangers are 6-0-0 this season when Cuylle scores. That’s not a coincidence - his goals tend to come in big moments.
Since the start of 2024-25, his 393 hits are the second most in the league. Last season, he surpassed Ryan Callahan for the most hits in a single season by a Ranger since the NHL began tracking the stat in 2005-06. He’s bringing that same edge this year - and it’s making a difference.
Shesterkin Steady as Ever
Igor Shesterkin is once again proving why he’s one of the best in the business between the pipes.
Among goalies with 15 or more starts this season, his 2.48 goals against average ranks fifth in the NHL. He’s won seven of his last nine starts and has held opponents to two goals or fewer in 12 games - tied for the second most in the league.
Dating back to the start of the 2021-22 season, Shesterkin ranks fourth in wins (146), third in shutouts (20) and save percentage (.916), and fifth in goals against average (2.51). He also leads all NHL goalies in games allowing one goal or fewer during that span (73).
When Shesterkin is locked in, the Rangers are tough to beat - and right now, he’s dialed in.
Final Word
From Panarin’s playmaking to Zibanejad’s power play sniping, from Cuylle’s physicality to Shesterkin’s steady presence in net, this Rangers team is showing depth, balance, and a whole lot of heart. And with Garden of Dreams Night set to bring even more inspiration to the ice on Tuesday, it’s a reminder that this team isn’t just playing great hockey - they’re representing something bigger.
The Rangers are rolling, and the Garden is buzzing. December’s just getting started, but this team looks built for the long haul.