Tyler Seguin returns to help Stars get a point, Predators holding on to fourth, and more NHL Central Action
Anthony Scultore
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Tyler Seguin’s return to the Dallas Stars after spending six months rehabilitating his surgically repaired hip. It was all worth it as he recorded a goal in his first game back. Seguin was activated yesterday and helped the Star get a huge point to stay in the playoff hunt.
Tyler Seguin returns and ties game in the third
The Stars faced off against one of the league’s better teams in the Florida Panthers. With their playoff lives on the line, Dallas fought back from a 4-2 deficit in the third period to score twice. Tyler Seguin making his season debut notched the game-tiler falling down in front of the net. Although Florida won it 5-4 in OT off a goal from Aleksander Barkov, this was a huge point for Dallas.
“It was emotional,” Seguin said. “Kind of this whole day, trying to make your mind your friend. A lot of excitement, a lot of nerves and frankly a lot of emotion. It was a long journey to get to this point. It’s been tough watching our team going through everything they have this whole year and not being able to help, so it was nice to finally get out there.”
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For Dallas it was a huge point considering how hot the Predators are right now. They sit four points back of Nashville and have a game in hand. Of course, the bigger story last night was seeing one of the game’s stars triumphant return.
Predators take out Blue Jackets and Hurricanes win again
As the top three teams in the division jockey for position, the Predators are fighting off Seguin’s Stars. Last night it took overtime to beat the Blue Jackets 4-3. A third period hat-trick from Emil Bemstrom erased a 3-0 Preds lead. Roman Josi played the savior in the extra session, but this was too close for comfort.
“Being up 3-0 in the third you want to bring it home, but it didn’t happen for us tonight,” Josi said. “It was huge for our guys to regroup in overtime and start fresh. It’s a tie game. Both teams have the same chance. It doesn’t matter what happened in the game.”
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Finally, the Carolina Hurricanes walked over the Chicago Blackhawks for a 5-2 win. Sebastian Aho eliminated the Hawks from playoff contention on the strength of a hat-trick. The Canes are the best team in the NHL with 77 points.