Rangers’ Artemi Panarin records 900th point

OTTAWA, Ontario — When the Rangers bench asked for the puck Artemi Panarin had just shot into an empty-net to secure a 4-2 victory for the Rangers over the Senators on Thursday night at Canadian Tire Center, the star Russian wing turned around and asked why.

Panarin had no idea he had just recorded the 900th point of his 11-year career.

“Happy to get that, but glad we [won] tonight,” he said after posting a multipoint effort for a second straight game. “Especially in a winning game, I have that number. So nice. But, to be honest, I [didn’t] know.”

The 34-year-old Panarin is just the sixth undrafted player since 1963-64 to reach 900 points in 800 or fewer games.

Thursday night marked Game No. 781 for Panarin.

With 10 points in the last six games, Panarin leads the Rangers with 30 points on the season.

“Doesn’t surprise me,” head coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s a unique talent. He drives offense in so many different ways. He just has an ability to see the ice and see plays develop. He’s one step ahead of everybody on the rink, and that’s the game that he’s played for so long. He has scoring ability himself, but his playmaking ability, I think, is really something that might fly under the radar. I’ve certainly gained much more appreciation for it, watching it up close.

“I think he’s done a great job here over the last little while, just driving offense for our team, whether it’s five-on-five or on the power play.”

Igor Shesterkin stopped 25 of the 27 shots he faced in his 12th win of the season.

Backup Jonathan Quick, who is still on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, accompanied the Rangers to Ottawa but did not suit up.

Spencer Martin served as Shesterkin’s backup for a second straight game.

Braden Schneider, who was promoted to the top defense pair in Adam Fox’s absence, is tied for fifth among NHL defensemen in hits (64).

He is also one of just four players in the league with over 60 hits and over 40 blocked shots.

“Schneid’s core competency is just his defending ability,” Sullivan said. “He’s a mobile guy. He has a physical presence to his game. He has a good stick. He’s very good at closing and taking time and space away, defends rushes aggressively because of his mobility. I think that’s the player that he is when he’s at his best, and I think that’s what we’re getting from him.”

Rangers captain J.T. Miller skated in his 400th career game as a Ranger and notched his first three-point game of the season with three assists.