NY Rangers Panarin Game 4 Blunders, A Night to Remember for the Wrong Reasons

On Thursday night, the Rangers had a hero. But on Saturday night, that hero turned into a goat. Just two nights before, in a packed PNC Arena filled with desperation from both teams, Artemi Panarin stepped up. He scored the game winning goal in overtime against the Hurricanes, giving the Rangers a commanding 3-0 series lead.

But on Saturday night, everything changed. Panarin, who was once the hero, became the goat. He made mistakes that hurt the team. It was a surprising turn of events after his heroics just a couple of nights earlier.

Minutes after the end of regulation, Panarin gathered his teammates in the crowded visitors’ dressing room at PNC Arena. Despite Carolina just tying the game with a six-on-five goal, he urged his teammates not to lose heart.

Panarin emphasized the importance of resilience, encouraging them to stay strong and focused as they headed into overtime. It was a moment of leadership from Panarin, rallying the team despite the setback and instilling confidence in their ability to bounce back.

Saturday night’s game at PNC Arena was a rollercoaster of emotions for the Rangers, ending in a deflating 4-3 loss to Carolina in Game 4. The Rangers found themselves trailing by two goals not once, but twice during the game. Despite these setbacks, they clawed their way back into contention, managing to tie the game 3-3 in the third period.

However, the momentum quickly shifted, and the game took quite a different turn, especially for Panarin. Despite the Rangers’ resilience to tie the game, they couldn’t maintain their momentum. Instead, they suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the end.

For Panarin, in particular, it was a challenging night. After being a key player in previous games, his performance in Game 4 fell short of expectations. Whether due to mistakes or missed opportunities, Panarin couldn’t replicate his previous success.

It was a disappointing outcome for both him and the team. As they had fought hard to claw their way back into contention, only to come up short in the end.

The game started off on a tough note for the Rangers, with the Hurricanes taking an early lead just 1:51 into the game. Evgeny Kuznetsov scored an unassisted goal, catching the Rangers off guard and delivering the first blow.

As the game progressed, the pressure mounted for the Rangers. Former Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo gained possession of the puck near the blue line. However, Panarin was slightly slow to react and reach the puck in time.

This delay allowed the Hurricanes to maintain control of the play and keep the pressure on the Rangers’ defense. It was a crucial moment where every second counted, and Panarin’s slight delay proved costly for the team.

Panarin’s delay in reaching the puck near the blue line had consequences for the Rangers. It allowed the Hurricanes to maintain pressure, leading to a sequence that resulted in a goal for Carolina. Stefan Noesen capitalized on the opportunity, putting the puck in the net at 6:33 of the first period.

During the play, Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba was unable to clear Carolina’s Jordan Staal from the goal crease. Which leave space for Noesen to make his move. Carolina center Martin Necas seized the opportunity, firing a shot on Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin.

Although Shesterkin made the initial save, Noesen was in the right place at the right time to bury the rebound, extending the Hurricanes’ lead to 2-0. It was a moment where defensive breakdowns and missed opportunities cost the Rangers dearly. By putting them in a deeper hole early in the game.

After the Rangers managed to narrow the Carolina lead to 2-1 just 1:33 after Noesen’s goal. The momentum seemed to shift slightly in their favor. However, Panarin’s next shift didn’t go as planned.

Panarin appeared to enter the ice slightly late for his shift, possibly throwing off the team’s rhythm. Then, as Hurricanes center Jake Guentzel skated behind the Rangers’ net. Panarin took a poor angle in his attempt to defend.

This defensive lapse proved costly as Guentzel quickly passed the puck to Sebastian Aho waiting in the slot. By this time, Panarin found himself shielded out by Aho in front of the net, unable to effectively defend. Aho capitalized on the opportunity, beating Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin high over his left shoulder with a stunning shot, extending Carolina’s lead to 3-1.

It was a sequence of events where small mistakes and defensive lapses added up. Which is allowing the Hurricanes to capitalize and further solidify their lead.

This marked the first instance in this postseason where the Rangers found themselves trailing by more than one goal, a new and challenging situation for the team.

During a TV interview with TNT between the first and second periods, Rangers coach Peter Laviolette acknowledged the team’s defensive shortcomings. He pointed out that their defensive play wasn’t up to par, leading to costly mistakes. Laviolette highlighted the quick consequences of such errors, emphasizing how even small defensive lapses could result in the puck ending up in the back of their own net.

His comments shed light on the importance of strong defensive play, especially in high-stakes playoff games where the margin for error is minimal. Laviolette’s assessment served as a reminder to the team of the need to tighten up defensively and minimize mistakes moving forward to stay competitive in the game.

It’s important to note that Panarin wasn’t solely responsible for the Rangers’ loss in Game 4. The team faced a collective challenge that led to the defeat, and Panarin was just one piece of that puzzle.

However, his performance in Game 4 stood in stark contrast to his pivotal role in the Rangers’ victory in Game 3, just two nights prior.

While Panarin’s contributions in Game 3 secured the win for the Rangers, his performance in Game 4 was less impactful. Although his mistakes may have been subtle, they still played a role in setting the Rangers up for early adversity. These subtle errors, combined with other factors, contributed to the team’s overall struggle in Game 4.

Now, with the series tied, the Rangers face a crucial Game 5 at the Garden. They’ll need to regroup and refocus to avoid a second trip to North Carolina. It’s a team effort moving forward, and Panarin will undoubtedly be looking to bounce back and make a positive impact in the upcoming game.

Laviolette addressed the team’s performance after the game, acknowledging the early hole they found themselves in. He emphasized that the chances they gave up to Carolina were significant and noisy, indicating a need for sharper play from the outset. Laviolette pinpointed defensive lapses in the first period as areas for improvement, suggesting that the team could have tightened up defensively to prevent early goals.

When asked specifically about Panarin’s errors, Laviolette, known for his protective approach towards his players, avoided singling anyone out. He recognized Carolina’s strength as a team and the quality of their players, deflecting blame away from Panarin.

Instead, Laviolette emphasized that the defensive breakdown leading to Aho’s goal wasn’t solely on Panarin. He highlighted the need for tighter overall play, mentioning puck decisions and coverage as areas where the team could have been quicker and more cohesive.

Laviolette’s comments underscored the collective responsibility of the team for their performance and indicated a focus on improvement and tighter play moving forward.

In Game 4, the Rangers were keen on avoiding giving the Hurricanes any early momentum. Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour emphasized the importance of relentless pressure, highlighting that if they didn’t establish it in the first period, their playoff journey might come to an abrupt end. This mindset reflected the urgency and determination of the Hurricanes to seize control early in the game.

The shaky start for Panarin, although not directly addressed by him to reporters post-game, carried some irony. This was particularly evident when considering the pre-game comments made by Carolina center Martin Necas.

When asked about the Rangers’ leading scorer, Necas had likely offered respectful words or acknowledged Panarin’s prowess on the ice. The juxtaposition of Necas’s words with Panarin’s early struggles in Game 4 added a layer of irony to the situation, highlighting the unpredictability of sports and the potential for unexpected turns of events.

Martin Necas, reflecting on Panarin’s impact ahead of Game 4, acknowledged the challenge of facing players of Panarin’s caliber. Despite Panarin’s relatively quiet presence in the previous game on Thursday, Necas recognized the danger he posed.

Necas emphasized the need for constant awareness and vigilance when dealing with players like Panarin, as they have the ability to make game-changing plays seemingly out of nowhere.

However, in Game 4, it was the Hurricanes who managed to outshine Panarin. The tables turned, with Carolina effectively containing Panarin’s influence on the game.

This reversal of fortunes underscored the competitive nature of hockey, where momentum can shift unpredictably from one team to another. Despite Panarin’s reputation as a game changer, on this particular night, it was the Hurricanes who emerged victorious in their battle against him.