From February 1 to 3, one of the the main events of the National Hockey League season – the All-Star Game. Despite its elite status, in recent years the event has somewhat lost its former significance. For a number of reasons, it has ceased to arouse sufficient interest. For example, many people are simply bored and bored with the selection of competitions and their execution. To solve this problem, the NHL changed the format of the tournament: after consulting with the world's best hockey player Connor McDavid, the league increased the level of complexity of the competitions and introduced a system for selecting performers, returned the draft format among participants, and also added a number of other innovations.
A total of 44 players will take part in the All-Star Game. Of these, 32 were chosen by the league itself – one from each of the clubs. The NHL presented the first list a month before the event, and it has already raised some questions. Among the Russians, forwards Nikita Kucherov and Kirill Kaprizov, as well as goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin received calls to the All-Star Game. The latter, essentially taking a place from the New York Rangers, indirectly did not allow his compatriot and teammate Artemi Panarin to enter the lineup. Because of this, Khlebushek could count on his challenge only if the fans chose him. Their votes will reveal 12 more players out of 44, among whom only eight are field players.
Without diminishing the merits of Igor Shesterkin, the Americans were greatly outraged by the NHL’s decision not to select Artemi Panarin. North American journalists and Rangers fans called the absence of the Russian forward among the main players in the league a great injustice, because Panarin is one of its main stars. Especially in this season, which Khlebushek is performing with phenomenal results, Idea is among the top scorers of the championship and the main contenders for the Hart Trophy.
However, Panarin himself is not worried about this, and public outrage can now be put aside. Artemy has a much more important event ahead: he and his wife Alisa, the daughter of the famous coach Oleg Znarok, are expecting a child. Already the second in his family. In 2022, the couple had a son, and now Artemy and Alisa are expecting a new baby.
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"Hello, Rangers fans." Unfortunately, I will not be able to participate in the NHL All-Star Game this year – my wife and I are expecting our second child. I can't wait for this moment. Thank you all for your love and support. Please vote for my teammates,” Panarin said in a video message published by the Rangers press service. immediately after the match with the Chicago Blackhawks.
And in this meeting Artemy again gave fire and once again played the main role. Khlebushek was recognized as the first star of the meeting. In the game against the club for which he made his NHL debut, the Russian scored two winning points. Panarin, by the way, is no stranger to upsetting his former team – in 10 matches against the Blackhawks, he scored 19 points.
It was Panarin who opened the scoring in today's match. In the middle of the first period, his three caught Connor Bedard making a mistake at the blue line and organized a scoring counterattack, which Artemy finished with a powerful and irresistible shot. This goal was the Russian’s 24th of the season and the seventh in the last eight games.
In the second period, the Rangers doubled their lead after a controversial goal by Chris Kreider, who skated the puck into the net. Nevertheless, the judges counted it after watching a video replay of the moment. Based on the game, the Blue Shirts looked more confident than Chicago and, it seemed, left them no chance of a comeback. However, before the break, the Blackhawks still got one goal back and added intrigue. But not for long. In the very opening of the third 20 minutes, the Rangers scored twice in a row, and Panarin again took part in one of the goals. Jacob Truba scored with his assist.
Now Artemy has 53 points (24+29) in 37 matches. According to the current schedule, the Russian is on 117 points for the season. The cherished hundred is getting closer, and along with it, perhaps, the Hart Trophy. And now there is a new addition to the family. A very fruitful year for the Russian superstar.
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