TORONTO — While it’s essential to acknowledge the quality of the competition, the offensive display by the Rangers at the beginning of the season highlights their extraordinary ability to overwhelm opponents with goals.
With 20 goals scored in the first four games of the 2024-25 season, the Blueshirts rank tied for second in the NHL. This total matches the franchise record for the most goals scored over the same period, alongside the 1987-88 team, and is just two goals shy of the Phil Esposito-led 1976-77 team.
Can you guess which other teams woke up with 20 goals on Friday morning?
<img style="aspect-ratio:1.5220338983051;display:block" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" data-modal-image="33640787" width="898" height="590" src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Artemi-Panarin-3.jpg?w=1024" alt="Artemi Panarin, shooting on Cam Talbot, scored a hat trick in the Rangers' win over the Red Wings." class="wp-image-33640787" srcset="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Artemi-Panarin-3.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 3203w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Artemi-Panarin-3.jpg?resize=300,197&quality=75&strip=all 300w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Artemi-Panarin-3.jpg?resize=768,504&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Artemi-Panarin-3.jpg?resize=1024,673&quality=75&strip=all 1024w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Artemi-Panarin-3.jpg?resize=1536,1009&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Artemi-Panarin-3.jpg?resize=2048,1345&quality=75&strip=all 2048w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Artemi-Panarin-3.jpg?resize=878,577&quality=75&strip=all 878w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Artemi-Panarin-3.jpg?resize=744,489&quality=75&strip=all 744w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Artemi-Panarin-3.jpg?resize=576,378&quality=75&strip=all 576w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Artemi-Panarin-3.jpg?resize=440,289&quality=75&strip=all 440w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Artemi-Panarin-3.jpg?resize=424,279&quality=75&strip=all 424w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Artemi-Panarin-3.jpg?resize=180,118&quality=75&strip=all 180w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Artemi-Panarin-3.jpg?resize=144,96&quality=75&strip=all 144w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Artemi-Panarin-3.jpg?resize=107,70&quality=75&strip=all 107w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Artemi-Panarin-3.jpg?resize=93,62&quality=75&
<img style="aspect-ratio:1.5084745762712;display:block" decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-modal-image="33640778" width="890" height="590" src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Chris-Kreider.jpg?w=1024" alt="Chris Kreider looks to keep the puck away from Justin Holl during the Rangers' win over the Red Wings." class="wp-image-33640778" srcset="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Chris-Kreider.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 3249w, https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Chris-Kreider.jpg?resize=300,200&quality=75&strip=all 300w, https://nypost.com/wp-
In a stunning performance, Artemi Panarin netted a hat trick, leading the Rangers to a commanding victory against the Red Wings. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Earlier in the season, the Rangers also achieved a 6-0 shutout against the Penguins, along with impressive outings against the Bruins, the Golden Knights, and the Utah Hockey Club, the latter of which dealt the Rangers their only setback — an overtime loss — just last week.
Curiously, which team boasts more than 20 goals this season?
The answer: the Devils, who have scored 22.
As of Friday morning, every team mentioned above has played at least one more game than the Rangers, with their cross-Hudson rivals having completed three additional contests, thus highlighting their scoring capabilities.
This underscores the Rangers’ remarkable scoring efficiency, which shows no signs of diminishing.
While the Rangers’ 3-0-1 start to the season has generated plenty of enthusiasm, it appears that the league’s competitive balance may have narrowed even further this past offseason.
Chris Kreider is seen attempting to maintain possession against Justin Holl during the Rangers’ victory over the Red Wings. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
It is crucial for the Rangers to remain on course during the early months of the season, as they should be viewed as the frontrunners in the Metropolitan Division, having held the top position for most of the previous season.
“Tonight was our night,” remarked Artemi Panarin following Thursday’s 5-2 triumph in Detroit. The standout Russian winger recorded a hat trick, making him one of only two players, alongside Connor McDavid of the Oilers, to accumulate 11 points in the opening four games of the season. “It felt like everything was going our way. Additionally, we performed well in the defensive zone. I don’t want to overstate it; it could just be one game.”
