Blackhawks' rookie Panarin delivering points and jokes
Chicago Blackhawks rookie forward Artemi Panarin has been on target both with his point production and his comedy.
Panarain became the NHL's rookie points leader on Sunday after scoring two goals and setting up another in Chicago's 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. The 24-year-old Russian has 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) on the season to move ahead of injured Edmonton Oilers forward and top overall pick Connor McDavid for the league lead.
Panarin opened the scoring 58 seconds into Sunday's contest with a one-timer from a sharp angle before adding his second later in the period with a wrist shot over Cam Talbot's glove. Panarin also added an assist on Patrick Kane's 10th goal of the season midway into the third period to give Chicago a 3-1 lead.
When asked why he has worked well with Kane, Panarin - through his teammate and interpreter Viktor Tikhonov - was quick to come up with a joke.
"Because Anisimov's really good," Panarin said of linemate Artem Anisimov, according to Mark Lazerus of the Chicago-Sun Times.
Nicknamed the Bread Man due his name, Panarin delivered a few more one-liners as Chicago (8-6-1) improved to 7-1-1 at home.
Listed at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, Panarin recorded 26 goals and a team-high 62 points in 54 games with SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League last season.
(h/t Chicago Sun-Times)
Why do Panarin and Kane work so well together? Panarin: "Because Anisimov's really good." He's like a Russian Henny Youngman. #Blackhawks
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) November 9, 2015
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane worked as well as ever. "Maybe even better," Panarin said. #Blackhawks
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) November 9, 2015
Why was it better? Panarin: "Because I scored two goals." #HeIsAdorable
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) November 9, 2015
