Giving thanks: 5 spectacular goals by Jamie Benn
It's Thanksgiving in the United States, and it's hard to imagine one NHL fan base more appreciative of what they have than that of the Dallas Stars with captain Jamie Benn.
The reigning Art Ross Trophy winner has burst out of the gate with a league-leading 16 goals in 22 games, helping the Stars sit alone atop the Western Conference after missing the postseason a year ago.
With so many to choose from, here are five of Benn's early goals that we're all thankful to have witnessed:
Hips don't lie - Oct. 20 vs. Flyers
The Stars were thankful for quick healing in October after Benn sniped home what went on to be the game-winner after an impressive one-handed give-and-go with Tyler Seguin, leading his linemate to question if the captain had really undergone offseason procedures on both hips.
"I think he lied to you guys," Seguin told reporters. "I don't think he had any hip surgery. He's making it up."
Tic-tac-toe - Oct. 24 vs. Panthers
After Benn netted a pair against Roberto Luongo in the Stars' first meeting against the Panthers, on Oct. 17, Florida turned to backup Al Montoya when the teams met again one week later.
Different goalie, similar result.
Though the Panthers would grab two points on the road, Benn capped off his second multi-goal game of the season by finishing off a passing play from Seguin, Alex Goligoski, and Patrick Sharp.
OT hero - Oct. 29 vs. Canucks
The Stars have experienced the league's new 3-on-3 overtime format twice this season, and, on both occasions, their terrific trio of Benn, Seguin, and John Klingberg have come through in the clutch. Facing the Canucks, the captain netted his first overtime winner since March of 2014.
That goal clinched the Stars' eighth win in 10 games, equaling the franchise's best 10-game start in franchise history.
Master of deflection - Nov. 13 v. Jets
Though the goals aren't always pretty, Benn's dominant play around the net while on the man advantage is one of the biggest reasons he's on such a torrid scoring pace.
The 26-year-old is feasting near the crease, with all seven of his power-play goals coming inside the hash marks, including this tap-in after a deflection against the Jets. The goal could stand as the prototype for his early production - a game-winning power-play tap-in from Seguin and Klingberg.
The goal also ended a season-long goalless drought - of four games.
Shorty from Jordie - Nov. 25 vs. Senators
This past Tuesday, Benn reminded us all what Thanksgiving is really all about: family.
His older brother, Jordie, lobbed a pass from deep in his own end to spring Jamie on a shorthanded breakaway that ended with him sliding a backhand past Senators netminder Craig Anderson after a beautiful deke. He added goal No. 16 just 10 minutes later.
(Videos courtesy: NHL.com)