Cody Eakin was always going to be the center of attention against the New York Rangers.
The last time the teams played Eakin barreled over Rangers’ goalie Henrik Lundqvist and was suspended four games for the infractions.
Eakin fought Chris Kreider in the second period to put an end to any animosity. He also scored his first goal of the season and added an assist to complete his first Gordie Howe Hat Trick in the Dallas Stars wild 7-6 win.
His goal actually stood up as the game-winning tally after the Rangers dominated the third period and charged back.
Earlier this week Eakin told me that he was happier with his game, and he was just looking for more puck luck in the offensive end.
“It’s has been like that. Just a little bit off putting the puck in the net,” Eakin said. “If you’re getting the chances your doing something right. Sooner or later it will start going in, just keep skating and working for those opportunities.”
You can read that full story here.
The fight:
Eakin and Kreider hug fest 2017 pic.twitter.com/X0spiB3fC8
— GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) January 18, 2017
The goal:
eakin scores
7-3 stars pic.twitter.com/p6qLJLtvJF
— Dylan Nadwodny (@dnadders) January 18, 2017
Shuffled lineup
Lindy Ruff shuffled the deck and inserted Adame Cracknell and Patrik Nemeth back into the lineup.
It was Nemeth’s first game since an AHL conditioning stint.
Earlier this week Nemeth discussed his season and dealing with the frustration.
Patrik Nemeth trying to escape NHL purgatory after AHL conditioning stint https://t.co/oxBpA1kzbY via @seanshapiro
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) January 16, 2017
Cracknell had been a healthy scratch after the Stars got healthier at forward. He made an immediate impact and scored his fifth goal of the season.
Cracknell makes it 6-3 Stars pic.twitter.com/9aSVAaZRke
— GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) January 18, 2017
The goals
First period
0:27 Derek Stepan scored on the first shot of the game. Rangers 1, Stars 0
12:34 Patrick Eaves scored on the power play, his ninth power play goal of the season. Rangers 1, Stars 1
12:46 Patrick Sharp scored after Radek Faksa forced a turnover and made a sharp pass. Stars 2, Rangers 1
Sharp go-ahead goal pic.twitter.com/f9wWm2OEJq
— GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) January 18, 2017
17:54 Jamie Benn beat Henrik Lundqvist five-hole with a backhand. Stars 3, Rangers 1
Benn goal pic.twitter.com/IhszFypkdK
— GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) January 18, 2017
Second period
4:32 Antoine Roussel scored on a pass from Lauri Korpikoski. Stars 4, Rangers
9:56 Mika Zibanejad scored on a deflection for his sixth goal of the season. Stars 4, Rangers 2
12:06 Pavel Buchnevich scored his fifth goal of the season to make it a one-goal game. Stars 4, Rangers 3
12:54 Patrick Sharp had a quick response and scored his second goal of the game. Stars 5, Rangers 3
5-3 Stars pic.twitter.com/2fXSdOjlb0
— GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) January 18, 2017
15:53 Adam Cracknell made a statement in his return to the lineup and beat Lundqvist with a wrist shot. Stars 6, Rangers 3
17:40 Cody Eakin scored his first goal of the season. Stars 7, Rangers 3
Third period
3:11 Chris Kreider scored on the power play. Stars 7, Rangers 4
5:31 Derek Stepan score during 4-on-4 play. Stars 7, Rangers 5
7:26 Mika Zibanejad scored his second goal of the game and ended Antti Niemi’s night. Stars 7, Rangers 6
Stars lineup:
Roussel-Spezza-Seguin
Shore-Faksa-Sharp
Benn-Eakin-Eaves
Korpikoski-Cracknell-Hudler
Lindell-Klingberg
Hamhuis-Benn
Oduya-Johns
Niemi
Lehtonen
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.