Mon Apr 07 22:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Rangers Host Lightning in Crucial Matchup, Panarin Nears Milestone

**NEW YORK, NY** – The New York Rangers face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning Monday evening at Madison Square Garden (7:00 PM ET, MSG/ESPN 1050 AM) in a pivotal matchup. The game marks the start of the Rangers’ final five-game stretch of the regular season, encompassing two home games and three road contests.

The Rangers enter the game riding high on the individual performances of several key players. Artemi Panarin, in particular, has been on fire. He’s notched points in 14 of his last 18 games (11 goals, 12 assists), and boasts a remarkable 30 points in his last 27 games (13 goals, 17 assists). His performance in March has been especially noteworthy, placing him tied for third in the NHL with 10 goals for the month. This stellar play has propelled Panarin to several significant milestones: his fifth 80-point season (tying Mark Messier for the most in Rangers history), his fifth career 30-goal season, and his 40th consecutive season with 40+ assists. He’s also closing in on his 300th career game, a feat that would make him the only active undrafted player to reach this mark.

Other Rangers players also showcased impressive individual achievements:

* **J.T. Miller:** Since joining the Rangers, Miller has recorded 26 points in 26 games, including a league-high nine multi-point games since his debut. He leads the team in faceoff percentage.
* **Vincent Trocheck:** Trocheck leads the NHL in faceoff percentage and ranks third in faceoff wins. He also recently achieved a unique feat by winning all 13 faceoffs in a single game.
* **Adam Fox:** Fox recently reached his 300th career assist, becoming one of the fastest defensemen in NHL history to achieve the milestone. This is also his fifth 40-assist season.
* **Will Cuylle:** Cuylle is making a name for himself with his physical play and offensive contributions; he has recorded 281 hits, second-most in Rangers history for a single season.
* **Chris Kreider:** Kreider is one goal away from breaking the Rangers’ franchise record for power-play goals, and recently reached 20 goals for the 10th time in his career.

The Rangers will be looking to capitalize on their strong individual performances and secure a win against the Lightning as they head into the final stretch of the regular season. The upcoming games will be crucial in determining their playoff seeding.

Read More