Chicago Blackhawks rookie Artemi Panarin continues to pull away in the Calder Trophy race.
Panarin recorded the first hat trick of his NHL career - highlighted by the game-winning goal in the dying minutes - to lead the Blackhawks to a 5-3 victory Wednesday over the New York Rangers.
Related: Blackhawks' Panarin becomes 1st rookie to score 20 goals this season
Patrick Kane made a perfect no-look feed to Panarin, who beat Henrik Lundqvist on the power play to put Chicago in front with just three minutes remaining in regulation.
Kane and Panarin have developed some kind of chemistry. Here's your game-winner.https://t.co/13ehumM2D3
— NHL (@NHL) February 18, 2016
He added an empty-netter to complete the three-goal performance.
Panarin is 1st @NHLBlackhawks rookie with a hat trick since Tyler Arnason on Dec 28, 2002 at SJ (3 G). @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/eMzF6NF7hq
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 18, 2016
The 24-year-old leads all rookies with 57 points in 59 games this season.
Andrew Desjardins and Andrew Shaw also scored in the win, while Corey Crawford made 31 saves as the Blackhawks regained the top spot in the Central Division.
Kevin Hayes, Derick Brassard, and Dan Boyle scored for the Rangers, who fell to 32-19-6.
