It’s been six weeks since the Rangers traded Artemi Panarin to the Kings. The deal took place on Feb. 4 with the Russian star picking Los Angeles as his next NHL destination.

Due to team president and general manager Chris Drury sticking firm to moving on from Panarin before the Olympic roster freeze, he got back top prospect Liam Greentree, a conditional 2026 third round pick, and conditional 2028 fourth round pick.

Viewed as a disappointing return for a player who averaged 1.36 points-per-game over seven years, the Rangers have played better hockey since. They enter tonight’s match against the Kings having won a season-high four consecutive games. Having gone 6-1-2 since the returning from the Olympics, they’re playing their well while Panarin’s new team has been up and down so far.

In 10 games, Los Angeles is 4-5-1 with Panarin. He’s been just fine putting up three goals and nine assists for 12 points, including scoring a power-play goal while adding two helpers in a 6-4 loss at the Devils this past weekend. Despite struggling, the Kings remain just two points in back of the Kraken for the final wild card in a mediocre Western Conference. Although they currently are sixth in the Pacific Division, the Kings trail the first place Ducks by eight points. Both the Golden Knights and Oilers are second and third, with 76 and 75 points. The Kraken rank fourth with 71, followed by the Sharks (70), and the Kings, who have 69.

While they try to get hot down the stretch and squeak into the playoffs, the focus will be on Panarin in his MSG return tonight. He’s been very open about how he feels since being dealt by indicating to reporters that he knew it was a possibility once Drury sent out a letter to the fans about the Rangers ‘retool.’

On playing the Rangers, he said, “We’ll see. I’ll try not crying. I guess battling for the playoffs, I don’t have time for that emotion.”

When asked about possibly getting the chance to face former teammate Igor Shesterkin one-on-one, the affable Panarin sarcastically remarked, “”I hope he has a bad night tonight. Sorry New York Rangers fans, but you don’t care this year anymore. We’ll see. Try to win the game.”

One of the things Panarin has consistently said is that the Rangers didn’t want him. That’s true with him confirming that they never made him an offer to stay. Instead, he wound up in Hollywood where he signed a two-year contract extension worth $22 million.

For the Blueshirts, it was about moving in a different direction. They needed to get younger. As good as Panarin is, he didn’t fit into their long-term plans. If there’s been a correlation, it’s been the improvement of former teammate Alexis Lafreniere. He’s been on a good roll lately. He was named the NHL’s first star of the week scoring five goals with two assists for seven points to help the Rangers to a perfect 4-0 record last week. That included Lafreniere getting his second career hat trick in a win over Calgary on Mar. 10.

Lafreniere has developed excellent chemistry with 20-year-old newcomer Gabe Perreault. The two have combined with Mika Zibanajad to form a new top line that’s been productive since head coach Mike Sullivan put them together. Lafreniere heaped praise on Perreault, who is a superb passer.

With Zibanejad continuing to lead the way, things are looking up. Even with them playing out the string, the Rangers are having more fun than they did at any point of the season. They’ll look to keep it going against Panarin and the Kings.