Rangers' Panarin returns vs. Bruins after 3-week absence

New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin is returning to the lineup Saturday against the Boston Bruins after a three-week absence, the team announced.

Panarin stepped away from the Rangers on Feb. 22 after his former KHL head coach, Andrei Nazarov, made an abuse allegation against him. The allegation stemmed from what Nazarov claimed was a physical altercation in 2011 between Panarin and an 18-year-old woman while the forward was playing in the KHL.

The Rangers believe the allegation is a fabrication designed to intimidate Panarin for his political views. Nazarov is a known supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Panarin has been a vocal Putin critic and shown public support for opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Reports have indicated that no evidence, witnesses, or court or police records have been provided to support the allegation. The KHL also said it was never informed of an abuse allegation against Panarin.

Panarin missed nine games while away from the Rangers, who went 4-5-0 during that span. The 29-year-old has amassed five goals and 13 assists in 14 games this season.