It looks like the Dallas Stars injuries will affect the lineup once again as they host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday afternoon. The Stars have dealt with more than their fair share of injuries this season, and their depth will continue to be tested as the playoffs approach. Long-time captain Jamie Benn was a late scratch from the lineup for Thursday’s win over the Nashville Predators, but it wasn’t quite labeled an injury. He was scratched due to “maintenance and a lower-body issue.” It does not appear to be serious. Head coach Pete DeBoer told the media that Benn is “doubtful” and it’s “the same situation [as Thursday],” so he will likely also miss the game against the Penguins.
Pete DeBoer says Jamie Benn is doubtful tomorrow vs. Pittsburgh.
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) April 4, 2025
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A Jamie Benn Injury Means One to an Iron Man
Thursday was the first time Benn has missed a game because of injury in four years, ending his streak of consecutive games played at 371. The streak was the fifth-longest among current NHL players.
Jamie Benn has not missed a game since the 2020-21 season.
He has played 371 consecutive games.
That streak will end tonight— Bruce LeVine (@BruceLeVinePuck) April 3, 2025
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The last game he missed also happened due to a lower-body injury. Benn does not have a lengthy injury history otherwise, only missing time in early 2019.
Jamie Benn being helped to the Dallas Stars locker room. He collided with Arvidsson, got hit on the knee with some force. pic.twitter.com/PQzOSo51MM
— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) January 23, 2021
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However, he was suspended during the 2023 Western Conference Final series against Vegas thanks to a cross-check on Mark Stone.
Benn is also one goal shy of 400 for his career. The injury puts that monumental milestone on hold. Plus, he has appeared in nearly 1,200 games for the franchise over 16 years. That’s not something that’s easy to replicate or manufacture.
His role has evolved to the point where he doesn’t need to be the best Dallas player on the ice anymore. Yet, his presence strengthens and lengthens the lineup. The Stars will also need his help and guidance to try to catch Winnipeg down the stretch.
Dallas Stars Injury Replacement
Losing Jamie Benn to injury, even for a short period of time, is significant but not necessarily dire. Dallas has a deep lineup where players can plug in and play easily. It also often juggles its lineups out of necessity, particularly since making the trades for Mikael Granlund and Mikko Rantanen.
On Thursday, Sam Steel slid into the final forward spot, playing alongside Oskar Back and Colin Blackwell on the fourth line. Evgenii Dadonov jumped into Benn’s usual spot on the third line next to Wyatt Johnston and Mavrik Bourque.
Steel isn’t known for his offensive game as much as Benn is, but the 27-year-old has become one of the superior penalty-killing forwards in the NHL since arriving in Dallas. He has enough skill offensively to hold his own and contribute. Steel has 48 points as a Star and accumulated 47 total points, the second-best two-year stretch of his young career.
Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin both practiced with the team in gray jerseys on Friday, usually indicating an injury to players, while Steel worked with Johnston and Bourque on the third line. Dadonov worked with Back and Blackwell. We won’t know Dallas’ official lines for sure until Saturday.
The Stars have seven regular-season games remaining. Next week’s homestand will be vital for playoff seeding and the race to win the Central Division and the Western Conference. It seems like Benn will be back by then, but Dallas will have to get past Pittsburgh without him.
Main Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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