Artemi Panarin, Matthew Tkachuk and Sergei Bobrovsky had the best week after the NHL all-star break, writes Adam Proteau.
After a week off during the NHL’s all-star break, THN.com’s three stars of the week is back. This is a weekly feature in which we identify three players who’ve stood out with dynamic performances in the past seven days. Let’s get straight to it.
3. Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida
The Panthers have begun to turn around their mostly-disappointing season, and Bobrovsky’s play in net has been a key reason behind that improvement. In three games this week, the 34-year-old goaltender posted a 2.02 goals-against average and a .948 save percentage in three games. In two of those games, he allowed just a single goal, and even in the game he lost – a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the defending Stanley Cup-champion Colorado Avalanche on Saturday – Bobrovsky still put up a .918 SP.
Bobrovsky’s strong week has slightly improved his individual season statistics. However, with a 3.13 GAA and .903 SP in 33 games, the Russian still has a considerable way to go before he’s regarded as being worthy of his annual $10-million cap hit. And the Panthers desperately need him to lead the way as they attempt to claw their way into a wild-card slot.
Staying healthy will be extremely important for Bobrovsky, as Florida is essentially capped out and likely won’t have the assets to acquire a veteran backup. Youngster Spencer Knight is firmly installed as the understudy anyway.
The challenge for Bobrovsky is clear, but it must be somewhat of a relief for Florida fans to see him rise to the occasion this week.
2. Matthew Tkachuk, Florida
Tkachuk followed up his standout weekend at the All-Star Game by generating five assists and seven points in three games. The 25-year-old forward posted a three-assist, five-point game in Florida’s first game after the all-star break and then had a two-assist night against Colorado. He now has 46 assists in 52 games – putting him in fifth place in the league in that category – as well as 27 goals.
With 73 points this year, Tkachuk is fourth in the Art Ross race as the league’s most productive point-getter, and he’s projected to finish the year with 69 assists and 109 points. These totals would be an improvement on his career-best performance last season with Calgary (62 assists, 104 points in 82 games). He has been everything the Panthers had hoped for when they made the blockbuster summer trade to acquire his services, and if Florida is to make the playoffs, Tkachuk will have to stay at this above-average pace.
1. Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers
Panarin is on a four-game point streak this past week, in which he posted a league-best nine points (four goals, five assists). The Russian forward really laid the smackdown Saturday against the highly-skilled Carolina Hurricanes, scoring four times and adding an assist for a five-point outing.
Undoubtedly, Panarin has received a significant boost with the Rangers’ acquisition of former Blues standout winger Vladimir Tarasenko this week. Panarin is on pace to produce 67 assists and 91 points, but those projections are likely on the low end now that he will be playing on the same line as Tarasenko for the Rangers’ remaining 29 regular-season games. It’s still possible he eclipses his career-best totals of 74 assists and 96 points (both of which were set last season), so long as he stays healthy.
The Tarasenko trade gives the Blueshirts one of the game’s most dangerous offenses, but make no mistake – Panarin is still the straw that stirs the drink in Manhattan. He’s an elite force, and he will be more dangerous for the rest of this year.