Not just a hat trick, but a Joe Thornton hat trick! And who cares about the debate whether Tyler Seguin would or wouldn’t be producing for Boston? He’s producing for Dallas, and in a big way.
It’s amazing though that on a night when Seguin scored four goals and added an assist, he could still arguably be outshone. To complement his linemate’s 5-point night, Jamie Benn had a 6-point night of his own with 5 assists and a beautiful diving goal. Look out Crosby and Ovechkin, the Stars first line is coming after ya. Even more remarkable is that the scoring outbursts came primarily at even strength, and with both players only skating about 15 minutes on the night.
There was something said a while ago about Jamie Benn being a captain who would lead by example. Last night’s game erased any doubts one might have still had about that. This is Jamie Benn’s team, and he’s quickly growing into the role. From an article on Benn taking over the ‘C,’ older brother Jordie Benn had this to say about the change:
“He’s not that young kid anymore that I used to see. The way he presents himself, the way he walks around the dressing room and the way he is with fans is different. He’s really confident. He knows what he wants. He knows how he has to play every night and how he has to act to show the rest of the young guys how to be an NHLer, and he’s doing a great job.” [ESPN Dallas]
Five assists, a highlight-reel goal, and leading his team to a resounding victory on the second night of a back-to-back? He’s doing a great job indeed.
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In case you’re still waking up this morning, the Stars won! Recaps here, which are always more fun to read after a comprehensive victory. [Stars Inside Edge] [Sports Day DFW] [NHL.com]
And game notes, from the incomparable Mark Stepneski. [Stars Inside Edge]
Two nights in a row, the Stars score a star selection on Puck Daddy. This time it’s, who else?, Jamie Benn. [Puck Daddy]
And of course, Kari gets an honorable mention. Not for his performance, although it wasn’t bad, but for how he ended the game. [Puck Daddy]
It’s not in the article, but the Twitter introduction to this yesterday said ‘Wow, the Dallas Stars have been fantastic in November.’ Heck yes. And yes, all these questions have been answered, since they were about last night, but still. [SB Nation]
A lighthearted look at how to solve the Stars powerplay woes. [Pegasus News]
Never hurts to scout the weakness of the opposition. Even if we just finished games with two of them and we’re no longer actually in the Pacific Division. But I kinda miss the Pacific Division… [The Hockey Writers]
So Jordan Nolan knew all about the impending implosion in Buffalo, and didn’t tell anybody. You can’t trust these hockey players. [Puck Daddy]
Wanna hear something brilliant? The Avalanche got absolutely tonked last night by the Blues. It was so bad that Jean-Sebastien Giguere got pulled after the first period and replaced by Semyon Varlamov, who was pulled after the second period and replaced by Jean-Sebastien Giguere. [NHL.com]
So the Avalanche have now lost two straight. Suckers. But still. They’re doing something right in their rebuild. Something that Edmonton obviously isn’t doing right in theirs. But what? [Grantland]
And lastly, the Anaheim Ducks got trounced last night too, by the Stamkos-less Tampa Bay Lightning. How the mighty have fallen… Get it? Mighty? Ha! *crickets chirping* That was unintentional. Biggest takeaway from that game though, it means that from here on out, any trash talking of the Eastern Conference has to come with the caveat ‘…except the Lightning.’ [Raw Charge]