Panarin lifts Blackhawks past Rangers, Avalanche pip Canadiens

Omnisports 04:48 - 17 February 2016

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It was a landmark outing for rookie Artemi Panarin, who scored a hat-trick as the Chicago Blackhawks trumped the New York Rangers 5-3.

Panarin had never scored three goals in a game but that all changed in the NHL on Wednesday, with his haul leading Stanley Cup holders the Blackhawks past the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

The 24-year-old, who leads all rookies with 22 goals and 57 points this season, broke a 3-3 tie with Chicago's third power-play goal of the match late in the third period.

Panarin sealed the points for the Blackhawks less than two minutes later.

Kevin Hayes, Derick Brassard and Dan Boyle were all on target for the Rangers.

The Colorado Avalanche overcame the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 thanks to Jarome Iginla.

Having tied the game at 2-2 via a power-play goal, Iginla then scored the go-ahead goal with just over two minutes remaining in the third period as the Avalanche saw off the Canadiens.

Iginla now has 17 goals this season and 606 in his NHL career.

The Minnesota Wild, meanwhile, accounted for the Calgary Flames 5-3.