The New York Rangers are back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs after missing the postseason in 2021. Speaking of returns, Rangers forward Artemi Panarin is also expected to be back on the ice for Game 1 this Tuesday at home versus Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Panarin was not able to take part in the final two games of the regular season because of an upper-body injury, though it's also partly due to the Rangers already having locked up a playoff spot earlier. The 30-year-old Panarin has already issued a big statement ahead of the series opener versus the Pens.

Via Dan Rosen of NHL.com:

“Ready to go, excited, two more days,” Panarin said. “Emotions are pretty high and just excited. Of course, if everything is right in your head your body is feeling better. If you almost cry, probably pain.”

Panarin's importance to the Rangers can't be understated. He led the team in the regular season with 96 points, on the strength of 74 assists. He also found the back of the net 22 times.

The Rangers' best player is still netminder Igor Shesterkin, but if they are to go deep in the playoffs, the team will have to muster enough offense to keep Shesterkin's load lighter.

New York defeated the Penguins three out of four times in the regular season.