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DALLAS -- Rick Nash and Henrik Lundqvist returned to the New York Rangers lineup and were instrumental in their 2-0 shutout of the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.Nash, who had missed four games with a groin injury, scored an unassisted goal with his team short-handed to snap a scoreless tie in the third period.Lundqvist, who hadnt started since a 4-2 loss to the Islanders on Dec. 6, left briefly after getting bowled over behind the net and combined with Antti Raanta for the shutout. Raanta had won three of the previous four games.I went out there with a lot of desperation, said Lundqvist, who has won at least 30 games in 10 of his 11 seasons. I felt like it was an important game for me to just feel good. My game hasnt changed over a week, but my mindset has changed.It is a new experience for me, he added.Nash broke up a pass by Jamie Benn near the Rangers blue line, skated down the ice and put a snap shot past Dallas goalie Antti Niemi at 7:08.Nash said he benefited from watching teammate Chris Kreiders unsuccessful breakaway in the second period.After watching Chris try it on his breakaway, I thought (Niemi) was kind of cheating the deke, and thought I could kind of catch him off guard, Nash said.Mats Zuccarello added an empty-net goal.Lundqvist actually returned twice on Thursday. Raanta replaced him for 5:31 of the first period after Dallas Cody Eakin plowed into Lundqvist behind the net, knocking off his mask as the goalie played the puck along the end boards.Eakin received a major penalty for charging and a game misconduct.The league better do something about that hit, Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. Its everything that you want to take away from the game. A hit to the head, forward motion and its a goaltender on top.Stars coach Lindy Ruff defended Eakin.I understand the call. As a penalty killer, hes trying to gain speed so he can get back. I know it doesnt look that way, but there was no intent on his part, Ruff said.Lundqvist said he didnt see Eakin coming at him before he was knocked to the ice. He stayed down for a bit and left the game for 5 1/2 minutes.(The trainer) came out and told me, `You have to leave right away. Did a quick test and tried to rush to come back out there, because I really wanted to play.Lundqvist finished with all 27 saves for New York, including 18 in the second period.Niemi made 28 saves for Dallas.The Rangers have won four of five. The Stars missed a chance to match their longest winning streak this season at two games.Niemi made five saves during a first-period power play that lasted 6:09. His best stop was a sprawling save on a snap shot by Brandon Pirri at 10:32.The first 51 seconds of that power play were 5-on-3 after Eakins penalties. Dallas has escaped three 5-on-3s without a goal in the last two games, though Anaheim scored 5-on-4 just 5 seconds after the first penalty expired Tuesday night.Dallas entered Thursday ranked 28th in the NHL on the penalty kill.About 5 minutes into the second period, Kreider had a breakaway but sent a backhand wide right. The Stars Jason Spezza hit the right post on a power play 6 minutes later.During Dallas second power play of the period, Lundqvist stopped wrist shots by Devin Shore and Esa Lindell.The Stars were 0 for 5 on the power play.Game notes Nash scored the 15th short-handed goal of his career and first since Feb. 2, 2015, vs. Florida. ... Nash took a run at Eakin after his penalties, but no penalty was called on Nash. ... Dallas C Tyler Seguin left the ice briefly in the third period after being hit in the back of the head by a shot. ... The Rangers are the only team that has held Benn without a point, in 10 career games. Even his brother, defenseman Jordie Benn, despite 411 fewer career points, has one assist in seven games vs. New York.UP NEXTRangers: Complete a two-game trip at Nashville on Saturday.Stars: Host Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon in the third game of a five-game homestand. The Flyers will arrive with a 10-game winning streak and two days rest. Puma Ireland Sale .1 million pounds ($61.2 million) on Saturday, giving the beleaguered English Premier League champions a major lift. Puma Shoes Online Clearance Sale . The 28-year-old from Calgary matched his career best after missing just one shot in his two rounds of shooting in the mens 10-kilometre sprint competition. Smith finished in 23 minutes 15. http://www.pumaoutletireland.com/ . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up. Buy Puma Shoes Online Ireland . The showiest items on Calgarys lot were forwards Mike Cammalleri and Lee Stempniak. Both will be unrestricted free agents this summer. Cheap Puma Shoes Ireland . That left plenty of energy for pitching books and swatting away free agency questions. Anthony had 24 points and nine rebounds, and the Knicks avenged an embarrassing home loss with a rout of their own, beating the Boston Celtics 114-88 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory. 10Kyle Abbott (two matches, 13 wickets at 14.84) Brought on the tour as a reserve bowler, Kyle Abbott was picked ahead of Morne Morkel for the Hobart and Adelaide Tests and stepped up in spectacular fashion. With red ball, he found swing and took a match-haul of nine including 6 for 77 at the Bellerive Oval to win the series. With pink ball, he managed to make the ball just wobble off the seam and added four more. These two Tests were the first Abbott has played consecutively in a series since his debut three years ago, proving why he is called the best 12th man around. He has earned the right to a longer run.9Vernon Philander (three matches, 12 wickets at 23.58, 136 runs at 27.20, one fifty) Making his comeback from an ankle ligament tear that kept him out of action for almost seven months last season, Vernon Philander looked back at his best - maybe even a little better. He stepped up in Dale Steyns absence in Perth to limit the Australian first-innings lead, scored 73 to build South Africas second innings, and ripped through the hosts in Hobart to dismiss them for 85. Philanders pink-ball game was not quite as good but, all-round, he put in a performances away from home that proved he is much more than a Newlands bully.8Quinton de Kock (three matches, 281 runs at 56.20, one hundred, two fifties, 11 catches) Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kocks hot streak with the bat featured four consecutive half-centuries, dating back to the New Zealand series in August, before he topped that up with what proved to be a match-winning century in Hobart. De Kocks ability to score quickly has bulked up South Africas lower-middle order and, although he will be disappointed not to have helped build more of a target in Adelaide, he is the only one of their batsmen to have showed consistent form.Kagiso Rabada (three matches, 15 wickets at 22.40) At just 21, Rabada plays with the maturity of a man much older and the results are speaking for themselves. Rabada was South Africas highest wicket-taker, two behind series-topper Josh Hazlewood, and combined raw pace with excellent control to earn the title of spearhead. Although Rabada has shrugged off such comments, he is increasingly looking like the leader of the attack. His five-for completed the Perth win and he took wickets in Hobart and Adelaide at crucial times to underline his value to the South African team.6Faf du Plessis (three matches, 206 runs at 51.50, one hundred) The stand-in captain went from hero to villain to hero again (to some) in a series in which he made a case to take over the role permanently. Faf du Plessis managed his troops excellently in Perth, especially after Dale Steyn broke down, and Hobart before he needed them to back him up in the mint-gate scandal. That they rallied behind him with such force showed how much respect he commands. The Australian public were much harsher on du Plessis and have branded him a cheat (he was found guilty of ball tampering and is fighting the verdict on appeal) but he used that as fuel to change his fortunes with the bat. Du Plessis hundred came amid boos in Adelaide but was seen as a sign of character in his own changeroom. After being dropped last season, du Plessis has now come full circle and South Africa have the problem of plenty in the batting and leadership departments.Temba Bavuma (three matches, 162 runs at 32.40, two fifties, two run-outs) The little man with the big heart, Temba Bavuma won many fans in Australia for his commitment and class. He scored two gritty half-centuries in Perth and Hobart and would have been disappointed at being unable to convert either of them iinto bigger scores, but has given South Africa a glimpse of a bright batting future.dddddddddddd His series will be best remembered for his lively fielding and the run-out of David Warner in Perth that has become the stuff of legend.5.5JP Duminy (three matches, 184 runs at 36.80, one hundred, one wicket at 84.00) In Perth, where his Test career began, Duminy resurrected it with a big hundred to help South Africa post a match-winning total at the WACA. But he did not contribute much after that, and his bowling was hardly required. Although Duminy played an essential role as a senior player, he looks likeliest to have to make way when AB de Villiers returns.Dean Elgar (three matches, 161 runs at 32.20, one hundred) As the senior member of the top two, much rested on Dean Elgar and he shouldered the responsibility well with a century in Perth. That innings also helped bury some demons - Elgar made a pair there, on debut, four years ago. He may be concerned, however, that none of his other scores were higher than 17 and he was unable to share in any substantial stands with his opening partner.5Stephen Cook (three matches, 179 runs at 35.80, one hundred) After a tough tour in which his technique was dissected and dismissed as inadequate, Stephen Cook showed why he had thrived for a his decade-and-a-half on the first-class scene with an ugly but effective hundred in the second innings in Adelaide. Cooks patience and determination are the two ingredients most needed in an opener, but he may still have some work to do outside his off stump. He is likely to be retained for at least the next series but will know that he and Elgar need to start clicking if they are to survive in the long term.Keshav Maharaj (two matches, four wickets at 40.50) One of the two rookie spinners on the tour, Keshav Maharaj put his hand up as a future prospect with an impressive debut in Perth. He was disciplined and complemented the quicks while also proving feisty with bat in hand. Maharaj did not have much of a role in Hobart and may have thought himself unlucky to miss out in Adelaide, but will take comfort in knowing that the international stage is sure to see more of him.4Tabraiz Shamsi (one match, two wickets at 75.00) The other South African debutant was chinaman bowler Tabraiz Shamsi, who was held back as a secret weapon for the day-night Test. Much like Imran Tahir, he appeared overawed by the occasion and seemed to try too many things in the first innings, but returned well to find turn and bounce in the second. Shamsi is a unique asset to any team and is difficult to pick, but will need to work on his keeping things a little tighter going forward.3Hashim Amla (three matches, 98 runs at 19.60) South Africas most experienced batsman had a disappointing series to add to a lean away run that stretches back to 2014. Hashim Amlas last four away tours have only brought 233 runs at 16.64. He was out to Josh Hazlewood on all five occasions here, leading to an examination of his technique - he seems to playing inside the line too often - and questions over whether he is in decline. That he put down three catches only added to such suggestions. But Amla was more vocal than he has ever been, particularly in defence of Faf du Plessis, and seems to be stepping up in the senior-role stakes. Batting coach Neil McKenzie has predicted the Sri Lankan attack may come in for some punishment during South Africas home summer, which may prove pivotal in Amlas distinguished career. ' ' '