Stars' Eakin levels Lundqvist with hit to head

Cody Eakin drew the ire of the New York Rangers and the attention of the officials with a single blow Thursday night.

The Dallas Stars forward delivered a forceful hit to the head of Henrik Lundqvist as the Rangers goaltender was playing the puck behind his net in the first period.

Eakin was assessed a five-minute charging major and a game misconduct for the incident, which forced Lundqvist to briefly exit before returning to play the remaining five minutes of the period.

It's the veteran netminder's first game back in the crease following four straight starts by backup Antti Raanta.