Artemi Panarin's first season with the Blue Jackets has been nothing short of spectacular.
Panarin, the offensive engine that has powered Columbus into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, put a cherry on his debut season with the Blue Jackets Tuesday when he set the club record for points in a season.
Thanks to a three-point outing, topped by one amazing goal against the Detroit Red Wings, Panarin has 80 points on the season, coming on 27 goals and 53 assists. The assist total is a career-high and also a Blue Jackets club record for the former Calder Trophy winner topping the 52 Ray Whitney notched in 2002-03.
Panarin broke Rick Nash's franchise record of 79 points set during the 2008-09 season on one of the prettiest goals you will ever see.
With his team trailing by one goal and a little over two minutes to play, “Bread Man” gathered the puck at his own blue line, skated through four Red Wings defenders, fired a shot that Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard blocked, and then pounced on his own rebound to put the tying goal in.
Are you kidding me?
Panarin now has 6 goals 13 assists in his last 10 games for the Blue Jackets.
| Player | Season | Games | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARTEMI PANARIN | 2017-18 | 80 | 27 | 53 | 80 |
| RICK NASH | 2008-09 | 78 | 40 | 39 | 79 |
| NICK FOLIGNO | 2014-15 | 79 | 31 | 42 | 73 |
| RYAN JOHANSEN | 2014-15 | 82 | 26 | 45 | 71 |
| RICK NASH | 2007-08 | 80 | 38 | 31 | 69 |
| ANDREW CASSELS | 2002-03 | 79 | 20 | 48 | 68 |
In three NHL seasons, Panarin has 88 goals and 143 assists, good enough for 231 points. The winger has two games in which to add to his club record this season, Thursday night against Pittsburgh and Saturday at Nashville.
