FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn sustained a nose injury that required stitches after hitting his face on the ice during his last game, and he is expected to miss the team’s upcoming matches. Coach Glenn Gulzan is still assessing Benn’s condition following a collision with a Montreal player early in the third period of the Stars’ 4-3 overtime loss. Benn suffered a nosebleed as he was helped off the ice and did not return to the game.
The Stars, currently on a five-game losing streak, are set to play their next six games on the road. Gulzan mentioned that Benn is unlikely to join the team for the initial road games in Carolina and Washington but should be back for the West Coast portion of the trip starting in San Jose.
Benn, one of four seasoned NHL players who choose not to wear a visor despite league rules requiring face protection since the 2013-14 season, is 36 years old and in his 17th NHL season, all with the Stars. This season, he has recorded seven goals and seven assists in 23 games, returning only recently after missing the first 19 games while recovering from a preseason punctured lung.
Fan Take: This injury to a key veteran like Jamie Benn highlights the physical risks players face every game and the importance of depth in a lineup. For hockey fans, Benn’s absence could impact the Stars’ performance significantly, underscoring how the health of star players can shape a team’s season trajectory.
