Panarin returns from 2-game absence vs. Stars

New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin returned to the lineup Friday against the Dallas Stars after missing the last two games with an upper-body injury.

Panarin leads the Blueshirts with 15 goals and 37 points in 30 outings this season. He's paced the team in points in each of the previous five campaigns.

The Rangers dropped both games without Panarin in the lineup: a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues and a 2-0 shutout defeat at the hands of the basement-dwelling Nashville Predators.

New York lost 11 of its last 14 contests prior to its meeting with the Stars. The reigning Presidents' Trophy winners entered Friday's slate in sixth place of the Metropolitan Division and outside the playoff picture with a 15-15-1 record.

The Rangers traded captain Jacob Trouba earlier in December and continued to make changes Wednesday by moving 2019 second overall pick Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken.