DETROIT – If you thought the five points Artemi Panarin scored in the first four games of last season foreshadowed his 120-point season, the possibilities for the 2024-25 season could be endless after the star Russian winger his total points increased to 11 over the year by the same margin.

The Breadman continued to improve with each game, scoring a hat trick and a four-point effort in the Rangers’ 5-2 win over the Red Wings on Thursday night at Little Caesars Arena.

It was an outstanding performance for Panarin, who already has four exceptional performances under his belt.

Panarin, Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere led the Rangers’ offensive attack to start the season, which saw the team score 13 five-on-five goals and 20 total goals.

The line is always on offense, and Thursday night was no different.

Panarin, who became the first player in franchise history to score multiple points in each of the first four games of a season, was the driving factor.

Facing Detroit for the second time in four days, the Rangers got the blood pumping early by surviving 3:18 minutes of being shorthanded on the ice in the first period, which included a 42-second 5-on-3 -Power play belonged to the Red Wings.

The Rangers have only conceded two power-play goals on the shootout so far, having saved 13 of the 15 man-advantage periods they have faced.

On Thursday they were 3 against 4, but the early outnumbered success quickly led to the offensive.

Panarin took a cross-ice feed from Trocheck and put it in the net at 8:30 of the first frame to put the Rangers on the field.

Later in the first period, Panarin doubled the Rangers’ power-play score by hitting the top corner just over 10 seconds into the man advantage.

Ultimately, it was Panarin’s first of three points on the power play Thursday night after the Blueshirts lost 3-for-4.

As effective as Panarin was, Trocheck was right alongside him with a four-point performance of his own. The two were involved in four of Rangers’ five goals.

After Trocheck used a stick to block a Panarin shot for a power play goal and the Rangers’ 3-1 lead in the second half, the latter hit a one-timer – also with the man advantage – to give his team a comfortable three-pointer. Gate management.

Victor Mancini later scored his first NHL goal, capping the Rangers’ score, which remained adequate despite JT Compher’s goal at 16:41 of the third period.

Not only is Panarin on a four-game point streak, but so is Lafreniere.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft collected two goals and three assists, while Trocheck rose to two goals and four assists after Thursday night’s win.

It’s hard to imagine Panarin having a better season than last, but another year with Trocheck and Lafreniere might make it possible.

The trio is already making the most of the planned full season together.