DALLAS — It hasn’t been an easy month for Tyler Seguin.
Heading into Thursday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks the forward hadn’t scored in eight games and only had two goals in the month of December.
For a player used to finding the back of the net — he had 12 goals between October and November — it was a frustrating stretch.
On Thursday Seguin went back to the basics and scored twice in a key 4-0 win against the Chicago Blackhawks.
On each goal he finished off chances in tight around the crease. The first on the power play and the second at five-on-five where he cashed in on a chance with Devin Shore.
“It feels good especially when you’re in a bit of a slump, get your weight off your shoulders a bit,” Seguin said. “Felt like I was doing a lot of good things, some with bad puck luck, and then some stuff was catching up to me and I started cheating a bit. Definitely kept thinking about getting back to the basics, trying to be greasy and happy with tonight’s result.”
The first goal was a result of revamped look on the power play for Seguin.
Seguin catches Crawford out of position for his first goal of the night. #GoStars pic.twitter.com/Fk2ENBKFKB
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) December 22, 2017
Instead of waiting in the circle for a one-timer, Seguin has been moved to a role Ken Hitchcock refers to as the rover. Seguin has more flexibility to move around — he can setup in front of the net, go below the goal line, or look for the outside shot.
“He’s the guy that can move in and out of position, so he has three places he can play,” Hitchcock said. “Depending on the set we’re looking at. But early on the power play we want him on the inside, and then he has the ability — like you saw him, sometimes he’s on the outside — and it’s based on what the PK guys are doing … so he’s unpredictable now, you can’t find him.”
Hitchcock said that role helps better engage Seguin on the power play and is hopefully it’ll spark something more for the center.
“He’s better when he’s in the traffic,” Hitchcock said. “He’s got a strong stick, he gets his shot away, he’s got quick hands, we need him in the scoring are more.”
Seguin also found the scoring area at even strength when he made it 4-0.
He and Shore drove the net hard, got a desirable “greasy goal” and essentially put the game out of reach.
Seguin and Shore putting in the work. #GoStars pic.twitter.com/RZ4eugkfAO
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) December 22, 2017
After the goal Seguin and Shore had a bit of fun on the bench.
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) December 22, 2017
“I’ve been with Devin now for a while as a linemate and the other winger has been changing a lot, Devin and I have just been talking a lot,” Seguin said. “It kind of makes me feel old, he’s always coming to me asking for advice in certain situations. And I thought that second goal by me was his hard work and that was kind of how I congratulated him.”
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